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January 20, 2026 – Philippines –
Erwin “Ambo” Delilan, a well-known journalist and radio station manager in the Negros Occidental province of the Philippines, was arrested by police late on January 19, 2026, on charges of “unjust vexation”, provoking widespread criticism from press freedom advocates who argue the case undermines journalists’ rights and press independence. Delilan, who manages Hapi FM 104.7 in Bacolod City and contributes reporting to Rappler, was taken into custody at his home in Barangay Alicante, E.B. Magalona, after the warrant was served just before midnight, prompting immediate concern from media organisations.
The arrest warrant in Delilan’s case was issued on January 12, 2026, by the Bacolod Regional Trial Court Branch 45, alleging unjust vexation under the Philippines’ Information and Communications Technology Act, a minor offence that criminalises conduct annoying without legal justification. Delilan maintains he was never properly notified of the complaint and said he did not know who filed it or the specific actions that justified the charges, calling into question whether standard legal procedures were respected in serving the warrant.
Media freedom organisations have swiftly condemned the detention as part of a broader pattern of harassment aimed at journalists critical of public officials. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Negros Island Region (NUJP-NIR) described the arrest as an assault on press freedom and due process, warning that using legal tools in this manner can chill investigative reporting and discourage journalists from scrutinising those in power. NUJP-NIR pointed to what it characterised as a lack of procedural transparency, including the mismatched delivery of the subpoena, as evidence of undue intimidation.
Similarly, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) – Negros Occidental Chapter criticised the circumstances of the arrest, emphasising that while the rule of law must be respected, authorities should ensure clarity and fairness in legal actions involving journalists. KBP officials argued that arrests conducted without clear procedural transparency risk undermining the public’s right to information and could be perceived as punitive measures targeting media workers.
Delilan has since been processing bail set at 3,000 Philippine pesos on three counts, and his lawyer is assisting in preparing his defence. He has asserted that his reporting, including criticism of alleged abuse of authority by some provincial officials, lies at the heart of the legal action — a claim that underscores concerns among media advocates about the misuse of minor criminal charges to suppress critical journalism.
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