Monday, August 31, 2009

NUJP Condemns manhandling and arrest of 2 Cagayan Media

By Nestor Burgos Jr.

The NUJP condemns the manhandling and arrest of Cagayan television reporter Enrico Puno of Clearview Cable Television and his driver Kenneth Tudao by personnel of the Tuguegararo City police force, led by their chief of police, Superintendent Felix Dayag, on August 28.


According to reports from the Alyansan ng mga Alternatibong
Mamamahayag ng Cagayan (ALAM), the only apparent fault of the two, who were covering a visit by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was to drive their motorcycle into the road fronting the Cagayan State College, which authorities had closed.


ALAM, quoting Puno, said the two were about to stop when flagged down at a checkpoint commanded by Dayag when a policeman grabbed Tudao by the neck.


The policeman refused to let go of Tudao's neck even when Puno presented their identification and the accreditation issued by the Philippine Information Agency for the presidential coverage. This triggered a heated argument during which Dayag ordered the two arrested and hauled off to the precinct.


While the two were being loaded into a patrol car, Puno said he was punched in the back. The two were released after the police filed a report.


ALAM also reports that Dayag has denied Puno's account, claiming the two Clearview personnel ignored a “Do Not Enter” sign as well as attempts to flag them down, including by the chief of police himself.


Dayag said it was only when one of his men stepped into the path of the motorcycle that Tudao and Puno stopped. The police chief also claimed that he personally cleared the two to enter the campus on condition that they leave their motorcycle outside but that they refused and that Puno started arguing.


He said that he decided to have them brought to the precinct when a crowd began forming, with some also demanding entry into the campus.


Granting Dayag's version is true, it is apparent that Puno and Tudao ignored the “Do Not Enter” sign not because of any inherent desire to spite authority but because they believed that, since they were going about their legitimate work as journalists, the entry ban did not apply to them, which is invariably the case in presidential visits to other places in the country. In fact, it is almost certain that other journalists had already been allowed into the campus for the coverage
before the two were stopped.


It would also be logical to assume that Dayag and his men knew that Puno and Tudao are part of Tuguegarao's journalism community and would, therefore, have known why they were at the Cagayan State College. And even if they did not, which would then cast doubt on their efficacy, surely the presentation of identification and accreditation should have enlightened them sufficiently.


We therefore see no reason why the two had to be subjected to manhandling, Tudao grabbed by the neck and Puno punched in the back as they were being hauled off. In fact, we see no reason at all why the two had to be arrested, thus preventing them from the legitimate practice of their profession.


The profession is awash with stories of how local journalists often run into difficulties because of overzealous security measures by the Presidential Security Group or because of the mishandling of the accreditation process and other bureaucratic fumbles. While equally condemnable, many such cases can also be attributed to incompetence and the unfamiliarity of personnel from national offices with the local situation.


But for local media to be subjected to such treatment by local law enforcement agencies that should be expected to be intimately familiar with the local situation and personalities is beyond comprehension.


We support the moves of ALAM and Puno to seek an investigation into the actuations of the Tuguegarao police, especially Superintendent Dayag, and file a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights.




PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Sunday, August 30, 2009

LCIS turn-over 1.13M to former rebels

By PJTremedal

The Local Social Integration Committee recently turn-over check amounting to 1.13M to former rebels who came back from years of joining the movement to be in their normal life as constituents of Zamboanga del Sur.

Thirty seven (37) who surrendered to the government were given financial assistance for their socio-economic assistance. Said ex-rebels belonged to the communist movement operating in the municipalities of Guipos, Lakewood, San Pablo, San Miguel, Lapuyan of Zamboanga del Sur and Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay and duly processed by the Local Social Integration Committee (LCIS).

OPAPP Deputy Presidential Assistance Nabil Tan led the turning over of the check at the Bulwagan ng Kabataan, Provincial Government Complex at Dao this city. Governor Aurora Cerilles who witness the turn-over assisted Tan in giving 24 check in the amount of 20-T to each 24 former rebels as capital assistance for their livelihood of their own choice.

Meanwhile another thirteen (13) former rebels covered by the SIP received certificates afer they were grnted the amount of 50-T worth of livelihood goods. The Office of Presidential Adviser for Peace process (OPAPP) disclosed that the 24 former rebels yielded prior to the implementation of the OPAPP’s Social Integration Program.

The Social Integration Process is a process wherein former rebels are provided set of intervention to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of the society implemented under Administrative Order No. 172 of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last March 23, 2007.

As partners partner in reforms “Kauban sa Reproma (KR) Tan welcomed them. “to you who came back to our society, your government is ready to help you”. Tan said.

With the Arroyo’s administration some 250-M allocation for the SIP was approved to wipe out insurgency through arms and confidence building. This after recognizing the AFP-PNP campaign against CT’s (Communist Terrorists). PGMA cited that in her administration decreased the strength of the New Peoples Army (NPA) from 12,000 in 2001 to 6,000 in 2008.




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IPHO institutionalizes mitigating measures for A(H1N1)

Pagadian City - Following the lead of the Health Department to maximize surveillance of community outbreaks and serious flu cases involving high risks groups such as the very young, pregnant women, the elderly and those with pre-existing health problems, Provincial Health Officer Ma. Corazon S. Ariosa said the Integrated Provincial Health Office now shifted from containment to mitigation measure, as part of the preparations for the second wave of A (H1N1) virus.

The mitigating activities include tapping the help of the Department of Education in the continuous advocacy and institutionalization of proper hand washing and regular sanitizing of schools. Ariosa explained that the IPHO provide technical assistance to the Department of Education (DepEd) by sending sanitary inspectors to guide them in the disinfection of classrooms.

Reports from the Community Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have it that A (H1N1) deaths are more likely to occur among children and young adults and it hasn’t yet affected seniors.

Further, the report says, scientists learn something new from laboratory test:

“The test animals easily spread the virus when they were placed in the same cage but not when they were placed in adjacent cage. The lesson here is swine flu appears to be spread more by direct contact not thru the air.”

The institutionalization of proper hand washing in schools, public places and homes is the most effective, simple and cheap way to guard oneself from A (H1N1) virus contamination, Ariosa added. (PIA9-Pagadian City)





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Daredevils observe human rights – Gen Lustestica says


Pagadian City- Maj. General Romeo D. Lustestica, Commanding General of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army gave marching orders to ‘daredevil’ troopers of the 32nd INF battalion to show great courage and observe human rights in dealing with their enemies on the ground

In a send off ceremony at the wharf area here, Lustestica ordered the 24 officers and 280 members of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in full battle gears as they were assigned to Basilan as aupport battalion to the latest campaign against the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) were 23 Philippine Marines was killed.

The ‘daredevil’ troopers based in Salvador, Lanao del Norte who are determined to battle terrorism and insurgency, were ordered by the AFP Chief of Staff Victor S. Ibrado to augment the forces of the 1st Marine Brigade in Basilan province engaged in a fiery battle against Abu Sayyaf Group over the weekend.

The 32nd battalion covers municipalities of Baroy, Kapatagan , Lala, Magsaysay, Salvador , Sapad, Sultan Naga Dimpaoro, and Tangkal.

“I encourage you to show your bravery and strictly observe human rights,” Lustestica said.

He said that some of their enemies are treating their comrades cruelly and violently in the battle field, but he however instructed them to be gentlemen.

“ Even in war fighting, we should continue to become gentlemen and honorable men in our fight against the enemies,” Lustestica added.

The Tabak chief said, the AFP strictly adheres to the implementation of the suspension of military operation (SOMO) against the MILF as well as the so-called suspension of military action (SOMA).

The general explained that even with the observance of the SOMO, he does not want that they will be like “sitting ducks” , the target of their enemies.

“We should continue to be in active defense posture, defend ourselves from the attack of ASG and MILF,” Lustestica stressed.

Lustestica, however, instructed the troopers to observe and support the peace process, saying that by doing so, the stalled formal peace negotiations between the Philippine government and MILF will continue to prosper.

The troops left Pagadian City and boarded to Philippine Navy transport ships – the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) 291 Subanon and BRP 293 Bagobo. (PIA9-Pagadian City)




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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Press Freedom Monument Unveiled




Honorable Governor Oscar Moreno delivering his message during the unveiling of the Press Freedom Monument. "It is a product of leadership". Ed Castrillo, International Filipino Artist was commission by the Misamis Oriental Government to do the job.


By PJTremedal


Cagayan de Oro City,PhilippinesInternationally known Filipino Artist Eduardo Castrillo invades Mindanao as it unveiled its first art piece focusing on Press Freedom here with the support from the local government of Misamis Oriental under the leadership of Governor Oscar Moreno.


The said Press Freedom Monument is a double life size of media personality that depicts the memories of the one hundred and four (104) killed journalists since 1986 to 2009 and the living press freedom fighters.

Last August 21, as the nation marks the death anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. who said “Filipinos is worth dying for”. The press freedom monument unveiling was an event to remember by all. Sculptor Ed Castrillo as interviewed by this writer said,” It is the time that we should do things in the right moment for our next generations to understand what Ninoy had said.”.

“Yes we are now on this time that what we should do for the right may it on art piece or writing, or anything that is worth for our brothers Filipinos to feel and understand the true Filipino identity, what its worth, its activism, and freedom.” He adds.


The press freedom monument was “the suppression of the voice of the people” as dubbed by the Governor himself. “It is our gift not only to the media but for all people of this region and the whole world.” He said.

The Local government of Misamis Oriental do recognize the significant contribution of journalists in the restoration of democratic institutions in the country. Governor Moreno added that every citizen in a democratic country has that fundamental right to free speech and of expression, the same way the media should invoke as the basis of their profession.


As it was a controversial issue since March 21, 2009 when the governor and his team approved its commissioning the local media questions its financial source of the construction, is it the right move on an economic crisis today? It is proper? Or otherwise? Is it a means of government corruption?


“It is the product of leadership” Governor said.


The said press freedom monument is not of the Heritage project package conceptualized by Castrillo to Cagayan de Oro’s Macarthur Park (now named de Lara Park). The Heritage Project costs 57 Million, however because of friendship and understanding, the cost lowered to 27 million. And the press freedom monument is a give-away from the renown Filipino artist.


“Because of my commitment , my heart and responsibility for the media, the true voice of the people, the monument is priceless, I give it away” Ed Castrillo said.


The Artist behind the Press Freedom Monument


Born October 31 in Sta. Ana in Manila, Philippines. His mother, Magdalena de los Santos dies when Castrillo is a year and a half old. A fertile imagination begins to reflect in the toddler who remembers dreams, sees forms and figures on cracks and wood grains of empty walls. He takes pieces of marble, plays with reflections of the sun and visualizes forms inside the marble pieces.



Enrolls at the Ateneo in Padre Faura but drops out to finish gradeschool at the Sta. Ana Elementary School. He begins to draw figures on corners of notebooks, that, when skimmed in sequence, produce animation. He begins to fashion toys from tin cans. A fascination with the metal's warped surface begins.


In 1966, Castrillo broke into the contemporary art scene in an exhibition that caused a stir as critics had difficulty categorizing the range of his works. That year also marked the beginning of the trail of collectors to his atelier and international opportunities. Five years later, at the age of twenty-nine he would be receive the city's highest art award The Araw ng Maynila Centennial Award, the Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award, and the outstanding Makati Resident Award as well as the nation's top award, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award bestowed on artists of national prominence. Then too he was sent as the countries representative to the Paris Beinnale and following thereafter to the Venice Biennale. Castrillo was awed by seeing European refinement in traditional and modern art and was convinced that some of his techniques were not being used in Europe, particularly embossed copper and constructed and welded brass.


Monumental. That is an indispensable part of Castrillo’s art philosophy, to inculcate in the Filipino a sense of cultural grandeur not constrained by ideas of the Filipinos as being small and miniature.


An Art director from Washington D.C. said “ I hope Filipinos realizes how fortunate they are to have a great world class artist”


The Washington Post called Castrillo” the phenomenon of Philippine Art”


In Misamis Oriental, the first for Mindanao, thru the heritage project of Go0vernor Oscar Moreno, three Castillo monuments will rise, as they will educate Misamisnons and other Mindanaoans about things essential to there lives: the importance of heritage and heroism and the struggle for freedom. These are values that future generations will need to be reminded of, let alone add to their pride of place. And the ultimately, PRESS FREEDOM





PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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A MANIFESTO BY MASBATE JOURNALISTS

That journalism is a dangerous and high risk venture in the country is true, as has been proven by the long list of media workers murdered for doing their jobs.

We, journalists in the Province of Masbate, have experienced the same terrors sown by onion-skinned individuals, public officials - career or elective - and those who would wish nothing more than to silence the press so evil may flourish.

This small province has already lost two journalists to the enemies of press freedom – Nelson Nadura on December 2, 2003 and, recently, tabloid reporter Antonio Castillo on June 12, 2009. Both left orphans in the care of their widows, Castillo with eight children, six of them still in elementary or high school.

Nadura’s murder has yet to be solved. Neither have any suspects been identified or caught in Castillo’s killing.

Other than these murders, our colleagues also suffer the harassment of influential political personalities, the worst case being that of Joaquin Briones Sr., editor of the Masbate Tribune, a weekly tabloid.

Briones has been out on parole since 2005, after serving five years, two of these at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, after he was convicted of several cases of libel.

After his release from jail, Briones returned to what he does best, joining other colleagues in Masbate in helping the province’s search for good governance by exposing and criticizing the misdeeds of errant officials.

Among the subjects of their criticism has been Vice Governor Vince Revil, who crusading Masbate journalists have criticized on several issues, including ghost employees and a coal-fired power plant.

In his pique, Revil, instead of responding to the issues and working to improve governance in the province, has singled out Briones for retaliation, exploiting the vulnerability of the local publisher’s parole to exact vengeance.

He has filed a case for two counts of libel against Briones and used this as a basis to write the Board of Parole and Probation asking that the journalist’s parole be revoked and he be returned to the national penitentiary.

Aside from this, Revil’s lawyer, Ruben Songco, who is also his uncle and the counsel of the Masbate Electric Cooperative (Maselco), has filed three separate libel cases against Briones on behalf of the power distributor.

We have it on good information that Revil instigated the filing of these cases.

Revil’s singling out Briones and seeking his return to prison because he cannot withstand criticism on valid issues of governance or the lack thereof is nothing less than oppression and the perfect example of how the high and mighty in Masbate regard the media and their role.
It is also a telling commentary on the true nature of many of our local politicians, who see public office not as a public trust but a private endowment.

Despite this, the media community of Masbate remains firm in our commitment to keep the flames of press freedom alive and oppose the continuing attempts of those who would silence us in their unceasing efforts to plunge our province into a reign of darkness.






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Its Harrasment…NUJP

by Nestor Burgos Jr., NUJP Chair

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines protests in the strongest terms the manhandling by personnel of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of photojournalists who covered the protest and violent dispersal of youth activists at Malacañang on August 19 and demands immediate accountability.

While at times covering such protests and their violent aftermath can accidentally cause physical harm to journalists and media workers, the account of Philippine Daily Inquirer photographer Rem Zamora indicates that the assault on him and other colleagues, who were properly identified and were clearly there to perform their duties, was deliberate.

Zamora says he and the other photojournalists were not spared rough handling as the PSG and police began to disperse the protesters. In fact, he said, Allanah Torralba of the European Photo Agency, fell down twice and her camera lens broke when she was pushed by the authorities.

Zamora said when he started taking photos when he saw PSG and police personnel beating up students who had already been apprehended, some of the uniformed personnel tried to cover his camera lens to prevent him from documenting the incident.

As he tried to move away, he said, a PSG officer blocked his path. When Zamora showed his PDI identification card, the PSG office “pulled it violently from my neck.” Even as Zamora was explaining that he was with the press and had, in fact, covered Malacañang for about a year, the PSG officer grabbed him by the arm and tried to force him out, even accusing media of being cohorts of the protesters and “thus giving him the right to do what he was doing to me.”

Zamora only got out of his bind when colleagues responded to his shouts of “Media! Media!” and a cameraman from GMA 7 came to his rescue.

But this was not the end of Zamora’s ordeal. Even as he had stepped aside, the same PSG officer again approached him and photographer Luis Liwanag and pushed them toward the Palace gates. Seeing there was no point in arguing, the two went outside.

Ironically, outside the Palace gates, the same PSG officer, now armed with a camera, took pictures of the protesters, who seized the camera and returned it only after erasing the pictures. Realizing this, the PSG officer who, only minutes earlier, had manhandled Zamora, now approached the photojournalists asking if he could ask copies of their photographs.

We would not like to think that the PSG, as a whole, or the uniformed services, are ignorant of what media are and do, and our role in society.

But the fact is that the PSG officer clearly targeted Zamora for abuse because he was a member of the media and a “cohort” of the protesters. This is a very chilling revelation into how the PSG and, very possibly, the uniformed services view the media. Not surprisingly, however, given how little value and respect this administration has shown for freedom of the press and of free expression, if we go by the accounts that the state of national emergency in 2006 was intended to crack down on an “intransigent” press.

Equally chilling is the same PSG officer’s asking media for photos of the protesters who he and his colleagues had earlier physically assaulted. The media exist to document events as they happen, not to be part of anyone’s intelligence gathering arm, especially so if the information may lead to the abuse of human rights and other constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.

We demand redress for the violent treatment of our colleagues during the Malacañang protest and sanctions on all those responsible. More importantly, we demand that the uniformed services immediately educate its members on what media are and what media’s role is in a supposedly free and democratic society



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PROBE, PROSECUTE THOSE BEHIND ASSAULT OF PHOTOGS

by Joan Bondoc, Chairman PCP

The Philippine Center for Photojournalism demands a thorough investigation into the assault on photojournalists and their consequent manhandling during the dispersal of a protest action near the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

Even as we condemn the attack, we call on the Armed Forces and the National Police to immediately recall elements of the Presidential Security Group who were involved in the incident.

We also urge the Commission on Human Rights and the Justice department to look into the incident, which was a clear violation of freedom of expression and attack on media, for the appropriate filing of charges against those behind the attack.

There is no need for us to explain the brutality of the attack. The photographs, video footage, testimonies of our colleagues and statements of various media groups can attest to that. We can submit all these to the proper body to prove our case.

What we demand is for the government to take swift action by prosecuting those behind the assault, indemnifying the victims and assuring us that indeed there is press freedom in the country, contrary to what we have seen the other day.


We await immediate action.



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Sunday, August 16, 2009

3 journalists wounded in Basilan

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines received reports that three journalists were wounded when two military choppers, one of which had members of media on board, were fired at by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the island province of Basilan (southern Philippines). The incident occurred at around 10 AM today.


The journalists were members of the state-owned television network NBN 4. Maj. Gen. Dolorfino of the armed forces' Western Mindanao Command said they sustained "splinter wounds" but no one was seriously wounded. A photographer from the Office of the Press Secretary was also wounded.


A Malacanang reporter told NUJP that the news team covered the flag raising ceremony in an Abu Sayyaf camp that was overran by government troops last week and was on its way back to Zamboanga City when the choppers met heavy fire.


The Huey helicopters made an emergency landing Barangay (village) Tumakid in Lamitan City because one of the choppers incurred a torn transmission oil line. They were reportedly flying low due to bad weather when hit.


(IFJ-NUJP Media Safety Office)




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NUJP calls for justice on anniversary of Roxas’ murder

By Nestor Burgos Jr.


The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines pays honor to the memory murdered Capiz broadcaster Martin Roxas on the first anniversary of his death August 7.


Roxas, an officer of our Capiz chapter, was the first member of the NUJP to suffer the ultimate form of censorship that has claimed the lives of more than 100 colleagues since the so-called restoration of democracy in 1986, 68 of them under this administration alone, the bloodiest toll of any presidency, including the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.


Roxas, who was only 32, was heading home for lunch after finishing his noontime program “Targetanay sa Udto” on Radio Mindanao Network’s dyVR in Roxas City when he was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen at around 1:30 p.m.


He was rushed to the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians from a lone gunshot in the back.


A witness saw the gunmen tailing Roxas on Bayot Drive before they shot him at close range and then fled towards Ivisan town.


Two suspects – Christian Tan and Jonel Lastimoso – were arrested soon after the shooting and are now detained at the Capiz provincial jail while being tried for murder.


While we appreciate the quick reaction of the police in this instance, unlike the pussyfooting and even gerrymandering that has happened in many cases, notably the murder of Roxas’ fellow RMN broadcaster Dennis Cuesta of General Santos, who was gunned down just a few days before the Capiz journalist, the NUJP cannot accept authorities’ declarations that the case is closed.


Our NUJP chapter chairman John Heredia has rightly said the murder of Roxas can in no way be considered solved since the accused are still being tried.


And, we would stress, these are only the alleged gunmen.


As in too many other cases, the real brains behind the murder of Martin Roxas has yet to be identified, arrested, tried and convicted.


The authorities may insist all they want that their standards for considering cases closed or solved differ from ours.


We have heard many variations on this – that the police’s task is merely to arrest the suspects and file complaints; that the prosecution’s job is merely to file cases, if appropriate, and prosecute these before the courts; that the judiciary has other responsibilities, including determining guilt.



But that is not our problem. That is the problem of the three pillars of the justice system being unable to get their acts together and, in the process, depriving so many of the justice they deserve.



We maintain that until Roxas’ true killers, not just the men who pulled the trigger but the brains who ordered his murder, are caught, tried and punished, there remains no justice in his case, as there continues to be no adequate justice in the handful of cases where there have been convictions of the gunmen but not of the masterminds.



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