Even after her arrest, radio anchor India Lavapiez or more popularly known as “Mamang India” is not backing down as a staunch critic of government officials.
“Ang pag-aresto sa akon, indi katapusan sang akon panindugan (My arrest is not the end of standing up),” said Mamang India in a statement.
“Ini ang pahanumdom kun ano kaimportante ang padayon nga pagpangita sang kamatuoran kag ang paghatag sang tingog sa mga isyu nga importante sa mga pumuluyo (This is a reminder of how important it is to continue to seek the truth and to give voice to issues that are important to the people),” added Mamang India.
The lady broadcaster did not name Sigma Mayor Dante Eslabon, who was the complainant in the cyber libel case.
Mamang India noted that her arrest came during National Women’s Month and is symbolic of the challenges faced by women in the media industry.
“Sa kasaysayan sang pagpalayag, tuman kadamo nga mga kababainhan ang naglakat sa indi madali nga alagyan—mga babaye nga nagapamangkot maskin ginapugngan, nagareport maskin ginahadlukan, kag naghambal sang kamatuoran maskin may kabaylo nga risgo (In the history of broadcasting, too many women have walked the uneasy path—women who asked questions despite being suppressed, reported despite fear, and spoke the truth despite risk),” said Mamang India.
“Dala ko ang kabaskog sang madamo nga kababainhan nga nauna sa akon—mga babaye nga nagapamatuod nga ang kaisog indi matakos sa kabaskugon sang tingog, apang sa panindugan sa pag-atubang sang mga pagtilaw (I carry with me the strength of so many women who came before me—women who prove that courage is not measured by volume of voice, but by stance in the face of adversity),” added Mamang India.
