Protect Mindanao-based journalist, IFJ tells govt

An international media watchdog called on the Philippine government Wednesday to protect a Mindanao-based journalist who has recently received death threats. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) sought the protection of Malu Cadelina Manar, chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines’ Kidapawan City chapter. "Too many journalists’ lives have been lost in the Philippines, notably in Mindanao, due to the failure of authorities to respond to intimidation and threats of violence against the media. Immediate action must be taken by the Philippines police to provide every protection to Malu Cadelina Manar to ensure her safety," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said on the IFJ website. Manar received death threats by cell phone after conducting an interview about motorcycle thefts with North Cotabato police director Senior Superintendent Norberto Batisalong. Her interview was aired on Kidapawan’s dxND radio. Text messages Citing information from the NUJP, the IFJ said the first text message to Manar said: "Masaket ka magsolte Malo maghulat ka kay kame ang magdurog at magwasak sa imo (You speak harshly, Malu, you wait because we will crush and destroy you)." A second message acknowledged that those behind the threats could identify her. It said: "Kilala ka namo. Baga imo glasses (We know you. You have thick glasses)." Manar told GMANews.TV in a phone interview that she also received a third text message warning her not to go to sleep because she may never wake up. Manar added that she herself has sought protection from her contacts in the police and the military, who have pledged to provide her security. "Hindi kasi ito yung una, may mga death threat din ako [noong] nasa Cotabato palang ako. Parang kinakain ko na yan araw-araw pero mas careful na ako ngayon (This is not the first time, I also got death threats back when in Cotabato. I'm used to it, but I'm more careful now)," she said. Precautions Manar said she is taking precautions by changing her routines and making sure somebody knows her whereabouts at all times. Citing a report released by the IFJ and an International Solidarity Mission to the Philippines to investigate the massacre in which 32 journalists and media workers were killed in Maguindanao province on November 23, the IFJ said 137 journalists have met violent deaths in the Philippines from 1986 until the end of 2009. The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide. - with Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV