Security agent attacks two reporters from the program “En Persona”; armed individuals take over radio station in Huancayo; journalist sentenced to one year in prison

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 17 November 1997, a security agent at a pharmacy in San Isidro physically assaulted reporters from the program “En Persona” which is hosted by journalist Cesar Hildebrandt. Reporter Beatriz Llanos Cabanillas and cameraman Sergio Vergaray were attacked in the course of their work on an investigative report on the alleged trafficking of […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 17 November 1997, a security agent at a pharmacy
in San Isidro physically assaulted reporters from the program “En
Persona” which is hosted by journalist Cesar Hildebrandt.
Reporter Beatriz Llanos Cabanillas and cameraman Sergio Vergaray
were attacked in the course of their work on an investigative
report on the alleged trafficking of medicines which reportedly
involves an ex-minister of the government.

The aggressor, identified as Jose Aparicio Campos, attacked and
hit Vergaray and Llanos, who is the daughter of the former
Minister of Education, Mercedes Cabanillas, during the government
of former president Garcia. Both received serious injuries to the
face. The assault took place at 10:30 in the morning, when the
journalists were waiting to do a report on information received
by the program about accusations related to an unfulfilled sales
contract among nine pharmacies.

The journalists were attacked by a security guard at the “24
Hours” Pharmacy in the residential barrio of San Isidro.
According to the investigation carried out by the press, the
purpose of these establishments is to obtain better prices for
medicines from the pharmaceutical laboratories. In this sense,
they have reportedly joined together to acquire and monopolize
large lots of merchandise, which are then distributed to other
pharmacies.

The information was provided by Carlos Esquerra Hasbun, a
representative of the pharmacy “Sicuani”. According to the
informant, the owners of the “24 Hours” pharmacy, represented by
Ricardo Cubas M., owed 90,000 soles. The incident occurred
precisely when the journalists were waiting for the people
contracted by the owners of the Sicuani pharmacy to collect the
money.

Llanos and Vergaray were in a cafe with their camera equipment
when Campos suddenly appeared and threatened them in order to
make them leave. After receiving a series of insults, the
cameraman attempted to protect his camera, but was caught by a
blow. Llanos tried to intervene but was also beaten.

The attacker was captured and taken to the local police station,
where he has been detained. The reporters stated that the “24
Hours” pharmacy, one of the pharmacies reportedly monopolizing
large lots of medicine for resale, is owned by the Joy Way Rojas
family. Victor Joy Way was President of the Congress and a
government minister during the Fujimori government.

Also on 17 November, at 6:10 am, a masked group led by a woman
seized the radio station “Constelacion”, located in the urban
district of Chilca. After threatening the people who they found
in the broadcast studio, they forced them to broadcast a 40
minute cassette.

The attack took place just as a news programme was about to
begin. The group, who wore masks, hats and ponchos and were armed
with revolvers, burst into the studio and hit journalist Raul
Tazza Zevallos and his assistants. They were gagged, bound and
thrown onto the floor. After putting in the cassette, the
attackers fled, but not before threatening and warning them not
to stop the transmission. Forty minutes later, at approximately
6:40am, a squadron from the District Police of Chilca arrived.
They freed the radio personnel and seized the tape.

Meanwhile, according to IPYS, Ruben William Zurita Vilela, the
director of the radio program “EL Gran Magazin de Radio”, has
been imprisoned in the Provincial jail of Tambopata since 20
October 1997. Zurita’s program has been on the air for eight
years on the Radio Sinfonia de Puerto Maldonado station in the
department of Madre de Dios.

Zurita was sentenced on 21 October to one year in prison for
committing crimes “against the public administration through the
illegal exercise of the profession, an offence against the
College of Journalists of Puerto Maldonado…and for the offence
of contempt” against various public officials.

According to information collected by IPYS in the area where
Zurita worked, he sometimes used journalism for personal ends,
even including, according to one local reporter, blackmail.
Nonetheless, IPYS feels that it is a dangerous precedent that he
has been found guilty of charges including “illegal exercise of
the profession.” In Peru, there is a large number of journalists
who work in the profession without having undertaken formal
studies in communications or being members of the College of
Journalists. This is the situation of various important media
directors, says IPYS. In addition, freedom of opinion and
information is guaranteed by the Peruvian Constitution; as well,
Law 23221, article 2 and Supreme Decree no. 003-81-COMS, article
3, paragraph 2, which creates regulates the College of
Journalists, states that “membership in the College of
Journalists is automatic for anyone who works in journalism under
the rights covered by the Constitution”. For this reason, says
IPYS, the sentence against Zurita contravenes national law.

IPYS considers that this sentence constitutes a dangerous
precedent which must be denounced and overturned. Until now, IPYS
adds, the communications media do not seem to have taken note of
the case or its seriousness.

Recommended Action

Ing. Alberto Fujimori Fujimori

President of the Republic

Palacio de Gobierno

Plaza de Armas

Lima 1, Peru

Fax: +511 4266770 (o Secretaria de Prensa +511 4266535)

Gral. E.P. Juan Briones Davila

Minister of the Interior

Ministry of the Interior

Lima 1, Peru

Fax: +511 2242407 
Copies to:
R.P. Hubert Lanssiers

President of the Governmental Commission on Dialogue with the

National Direction on Human Rights

Fax: +511 4352991
Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega

Ombudsman of Peru

Office of the Ombudsman of Peru

Fax: +511 4264900