CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 10, 2025 — A disturbing act of violence struck the media community just two days before the 2025 midterm elections. The van of veteran journalist Manuel Jaudian, a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), was torched by unidentified assailants outside his home in Sagay, Camiguin, early Saturday morning.
Fire responders discovered telltale signs of arson—a plastic container and a makeshift torch, reeking of flammable liquid. Though no injuries were reported, the partial burning of Jaudian’s Nissan NV350 Urvan, marked with his podcast name “Kalandrakas,” sends a chilling message not just to him, but to all journalists daring to speak truth during a politically volatile season.
Jaudian, currently executive director of the COPC Journalism Institute and a host at Mindanao Daily News, has been tackling controversial topics such as political dynasties and vote-buying on his program. That he was targeted days before the elections—and a week after World Press Freedom Day—raises grave questions about the safety and freedom of the press in the Philippines.
The Cagayan de Oro Press Club swiftly condemned what it described as a cowardly and terrorist act. “We will not be cowed,” COPC President Froilan Gallardo declared. “We shall continue to do our duty in informing the people and uphold our mandate as the fourth estate.” Gallardo also urged all journalists covering the elections, especially in Camiguin, to exercise caution and report any forms of harassment immediately.
Echoing this sentiment, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) – Cagayan de Oro Chapter labeled the attack as another grim entry in the long list of press freedom violations under the Marcos Jr. administration. According to NUJP, 177 attacks against media practitioners have already been documented during this administration. Jaudian’s case underscores a disturbing trend: that journalists who speak out against political malpractice are being met not with dialogue, but with intimidation—and worse.
In response, Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10) assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway. “We remain steadfast in protecting media practitioners, especially amid heightened public interest during the election period,” said Regional Director PBGen Jaysen De Guzman. The police have coordinated with local fire officials and have taken initial evidence for forensic examination.
Still, investigations are only one part of the solution. Real accountability requires both the apprehension of perpetrators and systemic changes that guarantee the safety of journalists before incidents like this occur. Too often, these investigations stall or lead nowhere, giving attackers the confidence to strike again.
The attack on Jaudian is not an isolated event—it’s a dangerous signal to all journalists, especially those covering political beats in rural areas. If left unpunished, it can embolden more attempts to silence critical voices, creating a chilling effect on press freedom at a time when accurate, fearless reporting is more crucial than ever.
As the nation prepares to vote, it must also stand in defense of the people who report the truth. Journalists are not the enemy—they are the watchdogs of democracy. The attempt to intimidate them is not just an attack on individuals, but on the public’s right to know.
Let this be a wake-up call: threats and violence against the press cannot become the norm. We must demand accountability, justice, and protection for those who risk their lives to keep the nation informed.