The media, joined by a cross-section of society, gathered in front of the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City last night to condemn and oppose what they called government attempts to muzzle press freedom and civil liberties through Proclamation 1017.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," was the message on pins worn by some participants that seemed to echo the sentiment of most of those who joined the protest vigil.

Among about 200 protestors, aside from the media, were government officials, members of civil society and civic clubs, students, non-government organizations, and militant groups wearing red and black to symbolize what they said was their "determination to fight on" and "mourning of the death of democracy."

Bacolod police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, along with his men, arrived to ask the protestors to keep off the road to prevent obstructing traffic, but did not order their dispersal.

National police chief Arturo Lomibao told the Manila Oversees Press Club Tuesday night that journalists should practice restraint under the state of emergency.

On Saturday the police raided the offices of The Daily Tribune and Lomibao said police officers are still stationed inside the newspaper building.

International Federation of Journalists president Christopher Warren, in a letter to President Gloria Arroyo yesterday, said "IFJ has concerns that media freedom and civil liberties are the biggest casualties of the state of emergency."

"It is unacceptable for the government to be warning media sources to report only one side of the emergency," Warren said.

At the Bacolod protest last night, veteran journalist Rolando Espina said "I'm here because press freedom is something essential to the soul of the nation, without it the nation has no soul."

"I'm here to fight for press freedom," Primo Esleyer, outgoing president of the Negros Press Club, said.

"Proclamation 1017 is the beginning of a creeping repressive atmosphere in the country…something that is very fearsome to contemplate," Ely de los Santos, president of the Congress of Active Media Practitioners, said.

Bacolod Councilor Lyndon Cana said he joined the vigil to sympathize with all freedom-loving Filipinos and protest "this outrage called Proclamation 1017."

Bacolod Councilor Homer Bais said it is very clear that Proclamation 1017 means media suppression. "We are hoping she lifts it soon," he said.

Councilor Greg Gasataya said he is against Proclamation 1017 because it has a chilling effect on the media.

"Press freedom is necessary to democracy as blood is to a body," civic leader Rodolfo Alvarez said.

George Sanchez said the unity shown by the media in demanding press freedom is very empowering.

"The Negros media is one in demanding the scrapping of Proclamation 1017 as the basis for sweeping media repression and violation of the Bill of Rights. We call for respect of all the rights we enjoy," Edgar Cadagat, National Union of Journalist in the Philippine-Negros chairman, said.

Several other groups, including Bayan, Alab Katipunan and Sanlakas, also held protests in Bacolod City yesterday to demand the lifting of Proclamation 1017 and the ouster of Arroyo.

Bayan Negros joined civil society in a Black Ash Wednesday protest in front of the Bishop's Palace in Bacolod City to denounce Proclamation 1017, saying the people will never accept tyranny.

Lawyer Rodolfo Parreño said the sooner President Gloria Arroyo steps down, the better for the country.

Participants wearing black also carried a coffin as they marched to Bacolod's downtown area to air their protest over what they called the death of democracy, and later joined a media vigil to demand press freedom in front of the Fountain of Justice.

Howard Sapa, secretary general of the League of Filipino Students Negros, said issuing 1017 is a strategy of the Arroyo administration to prevent the people's call for the president to step down from succeeding.

We oppose the suppression of Filipinos right to free expression, Sapa said.*CPG

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