Journalist Katrina Domingo shared on X an unpleasant online encounter after receiving a death threat on February 11, which also happened to be her birthday.
The message read, “Hindi ka aabutan bukas… pupugutan kita ng ulo. [You won’t make it to tomorrow… I will behead you.]
‘HINDI KA AABUTAN NG BUKAS… PUPUGUTAN KITA NG ULO’
Received this message on my birthday.
It’s election season again in 🇵🇭 and emotions are running high, but there should be no excuse for these kinds of messages.
Stop threatening journalists who are just doing their jobs. pic.twitter.com/phvTPXYMYQ
— Kat Domingo (@_katrinadomingo) February 11, 2025
Domingo alleged that the online harassment was a corollary of the upcoming 2025 National elections, “It’s election season again in [the Philippines] and emotions are running high, but there should be no excuse for these kinds of messages,” she said.
A multi-platform journalist herself who covers local politics and human interest stories, Domingo has been exposed to the dangers and rocky political playing field in the country. However, she clamored in her post to “Stop threatening journalists who are just doing their jobs.”
In her post, the journalist shared a screenshot of the message, but blocked out the details of the person under the name ‘Ruben.’ Social media users expressed their concern for Domingo and urged her to remove the sticker and disclose the person’s anonymity. However, she refused to do so and expressed the importance of practicing prudence, “We don’t know yet, baka may mental disability siya or troll pala siya who just grabbed a picture and name ng legit na tao [What if he has mental disability or if he’s a troll who grabbed someone else’s picture].”
Domingo assured social media users that her new company, ABS-CBN, is currently investigating the said incident. She also expressed her thanks to users who voiced their concern online.
With only a few months left before the midterm national elections commence on May 12, journalists once again battle through harassment and threats due to the harsh political dynamics within the country.
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