Amid escalating attempts to suppress critical reporting, community journalist Deo Montesclaros denounced the weaponization of the ‘terrorism-financing law’ following the complaint issued against him alongside four activists, known as the ‘Cagayan Valley 5.’

The Cagayan Province’s Office of the Provincial Prosecutor issued a subpoena against the photojournalist, along with four other activists, namely peasant activist and former political prisoner Isabelo Adviento, fellow peasant activist Cita Managuelod, human rights worker from KARAPATAN Jackie Valencia, and Makabayan-Cagayan Valley Coordinator Agnes Mesina last January 10.

The allegations stemmed from a letter dated December 23, 2024, from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 2 in Cagayan Valley, accusing the group of providing supplies to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in 2018. 

Moreover, the complaint falls under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10168, also known as the ‘Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.’

Montesclaros and his team are waiting for the decision of the prosecutor’s office for the counter-affidavits they submitted to the Supreme Court last February 7 to challenge the accusations against them.  

Weaponization

This is not the first time Montesclaros has been threatened and red-tagged by the state. In 2020, the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) accused him of being a communist rebel during a Senate hearing, which forced him to flee the Cagayan province. 

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Montesclaros emphasized that the financing terrorism complaints and charges are being weaponized to stifle community journalists.

“Personally as a journalist, nakikita ko siya na weaponization ng isang particular na batas itong tinutukoy natin na financing terrorism para i-suppress ‘yung critical reporting ng community journalists, especially ‘yung mga nag-uulat dun sa margins ‘tsaka ng people’s issues so ayun pattern siya to silence critical reporting,” he said.

Montesclaros was unaware of the state’s motivation behind the accusations against them and only knew about the case from his colleague. 

He also did not receive a formal complaint, as the prosecutor’s office sent it to a ‘nonexistent address,’ delaying his access to the electronic copy.

Furthermore, the journalist asserted that the complaint issued against him cannot be separated from the case of other journalists, particularly Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained for five years on similar accusations, making him the second journalist in the country to face charges under anti-terrorism laws.

Montesclaros emphasized that community journalism remains in a dangerous and problematic state, with lawfare endangering journalists’ lives, liberty, and security. This not only threatens their work in remote areas, but also limits public access to crucial information needed to understand the country’s current situation.

“Paano pa puwedeng maibalita ‘yung kasuluk-sulukan ng mga lugar sa Pilipinas kung under attack ‘yung mga mamamahayag? So at risk ‘yung buhay ng mga journalist. Siyempre at risk din ‘yung access ng mamamayan doon sa critical reporting na dapat ay nalalaman nila para makatulong paano nila pwede maunawaan kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa bansa natin (How can the issues in remote areas in the Philippines be reported if the journalists are under attacked. Journalists’ lives are at risk. Of course the people's access to critical reporting is also at risk which help them to understand what is happening in our country),” he stressed.

‘One victim is too many’

Montesclaros argued that the weaponization of certain laws to attack the press creates a ‘chilling effect’ that discourages journalists from reporting critically, highlighting that even a single victim, like Cumpio, is already too many, now followed by him.

With the journalist's role of speaking truth to power, Montesclaros further emphasized that community journalists are being singled out for critical reporting, causing other journalists to play it safe and be avoidant in covering pressing issues in the communities.

The photojournalist also stressed that political discourse should not be confined to Metro Manila, emphasizing that stories from communities across the country must also be reported. 

Drawing from his experience as a community journalist, Montesclaros described the fear that lingers in the back of the minds of reporters makes them hesitant to cover pressing issues as it might lead to repercussions.

“So ‘yung mismong takot na ‘yon na sa likod ng isip mo ay lumalabas kapag nagsusulat ka ng mahahalagang usapin, kontrobersiyal man. ‘Yun ‘yung mensahe ng weaponization of the law kasi pipigilan ka na niyang isulat o i-publish ‘yung mga istoryang nakakalap mo sa ground (The fear that lingers in the back of your mind emerges every time you write important issues, even controversial. That is the message of weaponization of the law as it will prevent you from writing or publishing the stories you have gathered on ground),” he stressed.

Moreover, the journalist also condemned the culture of impunity among media workers in the Philippines, where journalists face red-tagging, threats, and even killings, which he finds alarming that such repression persists in a democratic society.

Pushback

Last February 13, Montesclaros opened ‘Kanayunan Blues,’ a photo exhibit serving as a form of pushback and resistance against suppression, which features his photographs during the starting years of his journalism career.

_{Deo Montesclaros gives a brief talk on his exhibit ‘Kanayunan Blues’ of his works on resistance against suppression during his early days as a phoojournalist.}

The exhibit was organized by Montesclaros and other photojournalists, co-organized by Pinoy Weekly, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and Filipino Freelance Journalists’ Guild, aiming to highlight the struggles of rural communities as well as to call for the dismissal of charges against the Cagayan Valley 5.

The exhibit is located at Quezon City and will run until March 13.

Drawing parallels to the Marcos dictatorship, Montesclaros recalled the press’ crucial role in helping the people recognize the abuses and atrocities under Martial Law through exposing the corruption of the Marcoses, which led to the EDSA Revolution.

The photojournalist also urged the masses to see beyond individual cases, such as his and Cumpio’s, and see it as a broader pattern of suppression that targets the people’s fundamental human rights. He emphasized that such repression can happen to any journalist that mainstream media may overlook. 

Montesclaros has been a community photojournalist since 2017, covering issues of human rights and social justice. He is also a multimedia reporter for Pinoy Weekly, a former correspondent for The Northern Dispatch, and a contributing photojournalist for IMAGO Images and Alto Press.

- Kasharelle Javier
(Photos by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)