Student groups decry legal harassment vs campus journalist

By Dulce Amor Rodriguez

MANILA — Campus press groups denounced what they described as state harassment after the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed a petition for indirect contempt against Jacob Baluyot, associate editor of The Catalyst and national chairperson of Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag.

A personnel from the Regional Trial Court went to Baluyot’s residence on November 26, 2025 to physically serve the petition, which was ordered by CIDG Acting Director PMGen Robert AA Morico II. The police unit asked the court to compel Baluyot to personally appear before investigators, and to issue a warrant of arrest if he fails to do so.

The petition stemmed from an earlier CIDG subpoena sent to Baluyot on October 7, 2025 days after the September 21 “Baha sa Luneta” protest that highlighted alleged corruption under Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration. Baluyot covered the mobilization as part of his work as a student journalist.

Baluyot submitted a written response on October 10 through counsel, arguing that the summons served in connection with a protest coverage already constituted a custodial investigation — a matter subject to constitutional safeguards.

Despite this, authorities now seek further legal action. “Not surprised but raged,” Baluyot said.

“The CIDG’s petition against me amidst corruption revelations under Marcos Jr.’s government is a clear and well-orchestrated pattern of crackdown targeting us youth leaders and journalists who confront anomalies occurring from the government.” He said the state “must apprehend officials who stole public funds,” instead of targeting the youth who call for accountability.

An attack on campus press freedom

Campus organizations issued strong statements condemning the petition.

The PUP Journalism Guild said the CIDG’s action is “a deceptive tactic of repression and intimidation” that signals to the public that critics “could be branded an enemy or face legal intimidation.” They said using the legal system to silence journalists undermines “the very essence of a free press.”

The Catalyst, PUP’s official student publication, called the move as “another attack on freedom of expression,” saying police intimidation reflects fear of media’s role “to raise awareness and mobilize people at a time when the anger of the entire nation is surging amid widespread corruption issues.” The publication also led an indignation rally on November 27 inside campus. Its editor-in-chief Maxene Marcelo said, “Journalists are already starving, yet the state feeds us fascism.”

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) called the petition a “low blow press attack,” saying the police “are barking up the wrong tree.” National spokesperson Brell Lacerna said, “Public funds meant to aid the PNP are being used to harass youth leaders who staunchly resist the biggest corruption scandal brought about by the Marcos-Duterte administration.”

The Buklod-Guro PUP and Office of the Faculty Regent described the contempt petition as “blatant repression” on academic freedom and student rights. “This is not separate from the broader design of widespread intimidation of the youth, especially after the historic Baha sa Luneta Rally,” they said.

Meanwhile, the PUP Central Student Council (SKM) asserted that “No one should be charged—not Jacob and not the people—for exercising their democratic rights.” The group warned that the government is twisting public dissent to shield corruption, adding, “The unrest that arises is not an act of criminality, it is the public’s demand for justice and accountability.”

Baluyot said the youth “have no other option but to resist the system” and called to “redirect swift actions towards all the corrupt involved in this state’s negligence.”

“Hands off campus journalists,” groups declared as they vowed sustained actions leading to the November 30 mass mobilization against corruption. Pressure now builds on the court: whether it will permit a contempt case to proceed against a student journalist who insists he was simply doing his job and exercising a right protected by the Constitution. (AMU, RVO) 

Disclosure: The author serves as one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the PUP Journalism Guild.

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