ATM condemns cyber libel suit against Zambales envi defender, and journalist
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) strongly condemns the cyber libel suit filed against environmental advocate, Hai Fernandez, Executive Director of Zambales Ecological Network, and Sean Magbanua of the Daily Tribune.
We regard this case as a form of Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) intended to silence Fernandez for her firm opposition to mining and dredging operations in Zambales. The suit is also meant to intimidate the media from reporting on the impacts and issues surrounding destructive mining operations.
Further, this lawsuit illustrates the pattern of harassment employed by individuals, corporations, and the government against environmental and human rights defenders (EHRDs) who publicly expose irregularities and much-needed information on mining activities. This is a clear case of the weaponization of the law to target those unafraid to hold government and corporations accountable for their actions.
We call on President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., to advise the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate this matter immediately and to instruct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intervene and de-escalate the situation on the ground. These intimidations must stop.
We also demand the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Bill and an Anti-SLAPP Suit to protect community leaders and EHRDs from the abuses of state and non-state actors.
We call on the public to continue to stand with EHRDs and to persevere in exacting truth, justice and accountability from government and corporations.
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