SEAPA | Southeast Asian Press Alliance

As Thailand braces for the hotly-contested national elections, to be held on the 3rd of July, journalists, media groups and civil society in the kingdom are also girding for what could be another round of challenges to Thailand's freedom of expression.

The following is a statement issued by SEAPA and FORUM-ASIA:

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) strongly condemn the on-going threats and intimidation by the Malaysian government against the electoral reform campaigners. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is comprised of Malaysian civic and human rights organisations campaigning for electoral reforms and independent monitoring of elections in the country. Bersih 2.0 plans to hold a mass rally on 9 July 2011 to demand for, among others, fair access of all political parties to the media, reform of postal ballots and a revision of the electoral roll to address irregularities for the upcoming 13th General Elections to be held in mid-2012.

Source: TJA

The following is a statement co-signed by the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), SEAPA's founding member based in Bangkok, Thailand:

Political conflicts and violent incidents in the country during the past 5-6 years resulted in tremendous loss and damage to the nation and affected all Thai people in every sector in terms of loss of life, physical and mental injuries and loss of property. The economic and industrial sectors and investors' confidence were also affected. If these conflicts and problems are not properly solved, the country will suffer more acute loss. The situation might reach the point where reconciliation would not be possible anymore.

Source: CMFR

A panel of Philippine public prosecutors dismissed recently the complaint against former Palawan Gov. Mario Joel Reyes; former Marinduque Gov. Jose Carrion; Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes Jr.; former Palawan provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias; Arturo Regalado; and Valentin Lecias in the killing of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) dwAR broadcaster Gerardo "Gerry" Roxas for “insufficiency of evidence.”

In an 8 June 2011 resolution, the panel said there was “no evidence sufficient to warrant indictment” of the six suspects. The prosecutors said the only evidence on record against Carrion and the two Reyeses was the extra-judicial confession of Rodolfo Edrad Jr. who alleged that he was a former close-in security man of both Carrion and Gov. Reyes and that he was ordered to form a team to kill Ortega.

Source: CMFR

A Filipino radio commentator was shot dead Monday, 13 June 2011, in Iriga City, Camarines Sur province. Iriga City is approximately 294 kilometers from Manila.