Anti-mining group condemns cyberlibel complaint vs. Zambales advocate, Tribune journalist
Seawaters reached properties in Barangay Liwliwa, Zambales, on 3 September 2026. The nearby sand dredging operations were blamed for the reported coastal erosion that has gradually reduced the land along the shore.
Screenshot from drone footage of Regent Nehru on Facebook
Environmental coalition Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, condemned the cyberlibel complaint filed against a Zambales environmental advocate and a Daily Tribune journalist, describing the legal action as an attempt to silence criticism of mining and dredging operations in the province.
The complaint, filed by Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., names Zambales Ecological Network Executive Director Heidi Fernandez and DAILY TRIBUNE reporter Sean Magbanua over an article concerning dredging activities in the province.
ATM characterized the complaint as a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP, which refers to legal action allegedly intended to discourage public criticism and advocacy.
"We regard this case as a form of Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) intended to silence Fernandez for her firm opposition to mining and dredging operations in Zambales. The suit is also meant to intimidate the media from reporting on the impacts and issues surrounding destructive mining operations," the coalition said in a statement.
The group alleged that the complaint reflected a broader pattern of legal harassment targeting environmental and human rights defenders who raise concerns about mining activities.
"Further, this lawsuit illustrates the pattern of harassment employed by individuals, corporations, and the government against environmental and human rights defenders (EHRDs) who publicly expose irregularities and much-needed information on mining activities. This is a clear case of the weaponization of the law to target those unafraid to hold government and corporations accountable for their actions," ATM added.
The case stems from a Daily Tribune report that cited concerns about dredging operations and their alleged environmental impact in Zambales, including coastal erosion affecting communities along the province's shoreline.
Ebdane alleged that statements attributed to Fernandez in the article were false, malicious and defamatory. Fernandez has defended her statements, while Magbanua has said he would respond to the complaint through the appropriate legal processes.
ATM called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seek an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights and urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to intervene.
"We call on President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., to advise the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate this matter immediately and to instruct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intervene and de-escalate the situation on the ground. These intimidations must stop," the group said.
The coalition also renewed its call for the passage of legislation protecting human rights defenders and measures against abusive lawsuits intended to suppress public participation.
"We call on the public to continue to stand with EHRDs and to persevere in exacting truth, justice and accountability from government and corporations," ATM said.