Filipino spy chief favored action against newspaper

A Filipino intelligence chief said he had recommended drastic action against an opposition newspaper, because it advocated violent overthrow of the government.

Col. Balbino Diego's statements were contained in a memo made public when the trial of We Forum publisher-editor Jose Burgos and nine of his staff resumed. The 10 journalists, now facing subversion charges, were arrested on a Presidential Commitment Order during a raid on We Forum's offices on Dec. 7. Colonel Diego said freedom of expression had its limits, because the state had the right to protect itself against organizations that posed a danger to its security.