‘I have done nothing wrong,’ reporter linked to Faeldon escape says

Amid news reports identifying her as the "lady reporter" being alluded to by the police as the one who assisted fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon evade authorities in the Makati standoff, journalist Dana Batnag on Wednesday said she had not been formally informed that she is a suspect in the fugitive soldier's escape. In a statement, Batnag who is a reporter of Tokyo-based Jiji Press said she has "done nothing wrong" while covering the November 29 standoff led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. Batnag said efforts to link her to Faeldon's escape is part of the government's "witch hunt against the media" and even challenged authorities to file charges against her in court. "I have not been informed by the police that I am a suspect in the escape of Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon. I am honored to be one of the victims in the government's witch hunt against the media, but my conscience is clear for I have done nothing wrong," Batnag said. "I appeal to the authorities to file the proper charges before the courts to prove that this is a government of laws," she added. A newspaper report quoting unnamed sources identified Batnag as the lady reporter who police claims helped Faeldon evade authorities during the Makati standoff. The report said Batnag gave Faeldon a press ID, allowing the fugitive officer to escape. - GMANews.TV