BACOLOD City — Media organizations in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have condemned the arrest of broadcast journalist Erwin S. Delilan, station manager of 104.7 Hapi Radio, calling it a troubling development that raises serious concerns over due process, press freedom, and the protection of journalists.
Delilan was arrested late Monday night, January 19, in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after they served a warrant of arrest for unjust vexation issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 45 in Bacolod City.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 20, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Negros Occidental Chapter expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding Delilan’s arrest. While reiterating its respect for the rule of law, the group said the manner and timing of the arrest raise questions about procedural transparency and constitutional safeguards.
The KBP said journalists are not above the law, but stressed that legal processes should not be used to intimidate, harass, or silence members of the press.
The group also called on the arresting authorities to provide a clear and public explanation of the procedural basis of the arrest and urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the judiciary to ensure that Delilan’s rights are fully protected and that he is treated with dignity and fairness.
Separately, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines–NIR (NUJP-NIR) strongly condemned Delilan’s arrest, describing it as an “assault on press freedom” and linking the case to his reported exposés and criticisms involving alleged abuse of authority and discrimination by certain government officials.
In a statement, the NUJP-NIR said Delilan’s arrest for alleged unjust vexation reportedly stemmed from his commentaries on issues of public interest, particularly his criticisms of alleged abuse of authority and discrimination by some officials of the Negros Occidental provincial government.
The group maintained that the case against Delilan is a form of intimidation and harassment aimed at silencing not only him but the broader media community.
“This is notwithstanding the serious questions regarding due process and the protection of constitutional rights, which Delilan was grossly denied,” the group said.
The NUJP-NIR added that Delilan should have been informed of the complaint against him or summoned for dialogue to clarify the issues and explore an amicable settlement instead of being immediately arrested.
“This kind of attack on media practitioners forms part of a culture of impunity, where those in power continue to abuse their authority. Journalists have been indiscriminately imprisoned and killed, while many others remain in jail without clear cases,” the statement read.
Delilan was released on Tuesday afternoon, after posting bail of P1,000 for each of the three counts filed against him.
In a radio interview, Delilan said he was “proud and not ashamed” of the case, saying it was related to his work as a journalist.
“I complied with the process because that is the law. I did not resist. Whatever the CIDG told me, I followed because I did not want to be accused of resisting authority,” Delilan said.
He added that he respected the legal process, saying he was ready to face detention, surrender his cellphone, or undergo booking procedures if required.
“I am proud of this case. I walk with my head held high,” Delilan said./PN
