After days of silence, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has finally confirmed the existence of a list naming the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and other organizations as
" influenced" by the Communist Party of the Philippines, in a PowerPoint presentation titled "Knowing the Enemy."

The statements of Brigadier General Jose Angel Honrado, Civil Relations Service chief, betrays a fantastic ignorance of democracy. Coming on the heels of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's pronouncement on media's role in defending democracy, it also betrays contempt for his commander-in-chief.

Honrado imposes on the NUJP the burden of clearing itself. The burden should be laid squarely on the doors of national security agencies. Their ignorance shames the entire government.

The NUJP is in the thick of protests against the mounting murders of Filipino journalists: three in the first three months of 2005, with
two other failed attempts; 13 in 2004; 66 since 1986. These are not figures taken from the air. There are graves and widows and orphans to give painful witness to this truth. Does Honrado want journalists to shut up, roll over and cringe in one corner, so that criminal syndicates and grafters and corrupters are given free rein in this country? Is this his concept of democracy – a gagged, cowed press?

Does Honrado also want journalists to ignore the fact that several of the killers were active or retired soldiers and police officers? That was not something the NUJP grabbed from thin air. Honrado can just call the Philippine National Police for a list of killers that belong or used to belong to security forces. With this confirmation, maybe he can start calling police officials communists, too.

Does campaigning for improved ethics and better working conditions betray democracy? Last we looked, these missions were part and parcel of a thriving democracy. For Honrado to equate reforms and the quest for justice for slain journalists as part of a communist plot is to betray the democracy that Filipinos hold so dear.

INDAY ESPINA-VARONA
Chairperson