Journalist Philip Lustre Jr. arrested in Philippines for alleged cyber libel

Veteran investigative journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested at a restaurant in Quezon City following an arrest warrant issued by the Davao City Regional Trial Court. The 72-year-old is facing charges of alleged cyber libel.

Lustre is known for his book, ‘Kill, Kill, Kill: Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines’, which documents the war on drugs under former president Rodrigo Duterte. His lawyer, Dino De Leon, described the arrest as an attack on press freedom and noted that the complainant is from Davao City, drawing parallels to the Duterte administration.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has expressed support for Lustre’s welfare, emphasizing the need for access to legal counsel, medical assistance, and communication with his family. The task force also urged the prompt handling of bail applications, citing his status as a senior citizen.