Government offices and media practitioners had a long standing relationship in terms of information dissemination and awareness. However, long standing doesn’t always mean a “good” relationship.
Eastern Visayas journalists were baffled upon hearing the unjust arrest of a fellow journo from Ormoc.
In front of her teenage son, EV Mail writer Josie Sersena was allegedly arrested in her home at 7 am last July 5.
According to Sersena, the arrest was sudden and arresting cops disclosed that it was due to the affectivity of a bench warrant stemming from her lack of appearance at a court hearing involving a drug suspect.
No Summons
However, the journo stands firm that no summons was received from her part.
“I've been a tri-media practitioner for over 23 years now focusing as police and military beat reporter. Now, is the worst 'most evil mannered situation’. Apprehending me with the lapses of others specifically those serving the summons for supposedly court hearings.”
Pointing Fingers
Meanwhile, court personnel later informed her that the summons was sent out last June 13. But the person who was supposed to deliver the same allegedly failed to find her residence due to “unclear” address, the court personnel said.
This claim raised a few eyebrows as the address had been the same for several years that Sersena had stood as witness for the agency.
“Unclear nung ibibigay ang summons pero clear na nung pag aresto na,” one local journo rants.
Harassment
Although Sarsena was able to post bail of P1,000 just minutes before 5 pm, Region 8 mediamen demanded an explanation from concerned agencies.
“We, call on the authorities to end the systematic judicial harassment against journalists in Eastern Visayas. We reiterate our solidarity with all the journalists harassed and arbitrarily detained.
"Journalism is not a crime and every minute a journalist spends behind bars for their legitimate reporting and journalistic work is a violation of freedom of expression and media freedom,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement.
Condemn The Act
Several members of the Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders (EVMWB) discouraged other media personnel to further involve themselves in activities such as buy-bust operations.
“EVMWB condemn the acts of the police and the court that put Serseña behind bars. We are calling on our fellow journalists to help Serseña, and heed the call for justice and equal treatment of the law. We could not allow these acts to prosper at our expense,” EVMWB President Miriam Desacada said in a statement.
Not Over Yet
As of this writing, Sarsena’s case is still under investigation.
While the court have already apologized and promised to “do better” next time, Sarsena felt no relief.
“Yun lang? Pano naman ako na the damage has already been done? Wala na?”
Photo Courtesy: Josie Sersena FB Page
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