December 25, 2009
Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Campus, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, armm, basilan, muslim mindanao
They may have paid P100,000.00 for the “board and lodging” but what’s the most important is that they have their beloved relative back.
Dr. Orlando Fajardo, the vice president of Basilan State College in Basilan, Mindanao, was released a few hours before Christmas at an area between the towns of Tuburan and Tipo-Tipo.
Fajardo was captured two weeks ago at the BSC canteen.
The Fajardo family reportedly paid P100,000.00 for the “board and lodging” of their relative.
The money was also reportedly paid in installment.
Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said Fajardo was released at around 9:30 p.m. Christmas eve Thursday.
Initially, the kidnappers wanted P20 million in ransom.
Then, the amount was lowered to P3.5 million.
Eventually, no ransom was paid. Only the so-called “board and lodging” fee was paid.
The kidnappers initially demanded P20 million in ransom but lowered it to P3.5 million.
So what are your thoughts about this?
Do you guys think it was a good move for the Fajardo family to shell out money for the Basilan State College VP’s release?
LikeNovember 26, 2009
Commentary, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal
First of all, we should not call it “Maguindanao Massacre” anymore. We should now call it “Ampatuan Massacre.” Ampatuan is the specific place where the mass graves were found. Maguindanao is the province here in Mindanao.
Secondly, to fellow journalists out there (especially those from Luzon) who make the constant mistake of treating Mindanao as one “lawless island,” (come on, you know who you are!) please…please be extra careful.
Maguindanao IS NOT Mindanao.
Mindanaoans like myself have been doing our best to help keep our place peaceful and safe. Unfortunately, like any other area, there are people who refuse to obey the law and think that they are above it. These people do not represent the entire island of Mindanao.
One tiny yet misleading description of our island can result in so many negative effects. So please…if you can…don’t look at Mindanao as if it’s the most dangerous place in the world.
Thirdly, I would like to encourage all of you to please say a prayer for all of my fellow media practitioners who have become victims of such heinous crimes.
They went because they believed in peace. They went because they believed in freedom. They went because they believed in fair play and honesty. Sadly, even with those beliefs, they still suffered such gruesome deaths.
Please pray for these media men killed in the Ampatuan massacre. Thanks to CenterLaw, I got this list of the names of journalists killed in the brutal Ampatuan massacre last November 23, 2009. So far, the list consists of a total of twenty seven (27) media practitioners who were killed at that massacre including vernacular weekly Periodico Ini’s entire staff pool. Reports say that there may be more than 35 media men.
May God bless their souls and may God’s healing hands touch their bereaved loved ones.
November 25, 2009
Announcements, Controversial, Cotabato, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update
Lame duck President Gloria Arroyo released a statement on the very gruesome Maguindanao massacre…the very massacre that led the International Federation of Journalists to declare that the Philippines is the most dangerous place for journalists to work in. Yep, after Efren Penaflorida’s triumph as CNN Hero of the Year and after Mindanao Manny Pacquiao’s 7th world title, the Philippines is again hogging headlines. And sadly, Mindanao is at the center of it all.
I can’t quite point a finger to it…I don’t know but I feel icky whenever I read this so-called “press statement.” Maybe because the government hasn’t done a thing ever since this entire brutality took place. Or maybe because all of PGMA’s mouthpieces have only exercised lip service and nothing else. Or maybe because I am just too angry and bitter and sad and disappointed about this.
The gruesome killings in Maguindanao constitute a most heinous crime. What makes it particularly so is the fact that it counts among its victims, lawyers, media reporters, and other defenseless and innocent civilians. Like many others. I am appalled and outraged by it, and I join the rising chorus of indignation against it.
This is not a simple election feud between opposing clans; this is a supreme act of inhumanity that is blight on our nation.
Elections are supposed to be civil and decent contests for political leadership at different levels of government. They are supposed to be avenues for political renewal in a democratic order. But when they are marred by violence, they mutate into occasions for demonstrating brute power, unrestrained by civility.
I deeply commiserate with the kith and kin of the victims. I grieve the irretrievable loss of innocent lives. That loss, unbearable as it is, should now move us to fight those forces that thrive in violence and erode the integrity of elections in our country.
The perpetrators will not escape justice. The law will haunt them until they are caught.
No citizen of our nation should ever have to fear for his or her life in the free expression of political will. That these victims were brutally struck down while merely exercising their right to political freedom must be condemned by people everywhere.
I understand only too well the volatility of the political situation in the area, and for this reason, I reiterate with even greater urgency my personal appeal for calm and restraint.
I am declaring a national day of mourning in honor of the victims. This crime is too outrageous not to prick the conscience of this nation or any other nation for that matter. Let us hope that the outrage is overcome by reason and by our need to live our lives in peace, honor and human dignity.
On my instructions, the Secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice are now in the area to directly lead in the immediate resolution of this case.
Be assured that our police and military forces are actively restoring normalcy in the area, and the national prosecution offices under the Justice Department are undertaking all the appropriate processes for the expeditious resolution of this crime.
In all this, the rule of law, the guarantee of equal protection under and equal application of the law, and the observance of due process and all legal processes, shall prevail. Let the full force of the law bear upon those who are found to be responsible for this offense and be made accountable for their acts. (PND)
November 24, 2009
Announcements, Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, muslim mindanao
The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) condemns in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of scores of civilians in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanaoin, a bloody start for the 2010 elections. Among the hapless victims were UPLM treasurer Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela and UPLM member Cynthia Oquendo.
Authorities claimed the victims were reportedly abducted by some 100 armed. They were accompanying the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael “Toto” Mangudadatu , Genalyn, whose group was on their way to file her husband’s certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor at the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao.
This barbaric mass murder not only indicates the early onset of pre-election violence, but, also shows that the culture of impunity clearly pervades with the existence of warlord-maintained private armies that have long been tolerated by the government, past and present. Considering their proximity to the present occupants of Malacañang, these warlords, as well as their henchmen, certainly believe that they can get away with cold-blooded mass murder.
It is doubly condemnable that among the latest victims were journalists and lawyers, who have been in the line of fire because of their commitment to their respective profession. Sadly, the names of Atty. Brizuela and Atty. Oquendo will be added to the long list of victims of extra-judicial killings under the present administration.
The UPLM demands that justice be served on the victims, particularly to our colleagues, Attys. Brizuela and Oquendo. We demand that the Arroyo administration throws the full force of the government to bring the perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations, to the bar of justice.
Atty. Carlos Isagani Zarate
Secretary General
UPLM
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Iligan City councilor, a Liberal Party candidate, attacks broadcaster on air
January 15, 2010
Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Humor, Media, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Radio, Weird, iligan city, northern mindanao
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This piece of news pretty much made my day today. Mindanaoan thought that what happened between an anchorman of a local radio station in Iligan City and an Iligan City councilor (who’s seeking re-election, no less!) was controversial, wacky, weird, funny, interesting and well…basically a sign of what’s to come in the next few months. Yup, the campaign season really DOES bring out the LOLs!
According to news reports, Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, a Liberal Party (LP) candidate, attacked DXRJ anchorman Albert Loyola while the latter was inside the announcer’s booth and was live on air. Ruiz allegedly barged into the station Wednesday morning and punched Loyola.
Ruiz is seeking re-election come May 2010. Ruiz is seeking for a third term.
Amid the commotion, Loyola was allegedly heard shouting repeatedly over the microphone that he was being punched by Ruiz. Meanwhile, Ruiz was also allegedly heard on air saying “salbahe ka, salbahe ka.”
Reports didn’t say if Loyola was rushed to the hospital for medical tests.
Ruiz, however, engaged in an interview with another Iligan City radio station. He claimed that Loyola repeatedly called him “botboton” or liar in Visayan. Ruiz said that he tried to call the station in order to air his side but he was ignored.
Loyola, for his part, explained that he was just “asking” Ruiz how the city council is spending the budget on committee hearings. He claimed that he “wasn’t served snacks” during public hearings even though Ruiz said that part of the expenses included snacks for attendees.
Loyola reportedly said he will file appropriate charges against Ruiz. Ruiz said he will face the charges but also appealed to media practitioners to practice professionalism.
So here are my thoughts about this.
First off, both parties must acknowledge that neither of them come out “victorious” because of this controversy. IMHO, media man Loyola may have his 15 minutes of fame but at the end of the day, he will be remembered as the man who complained because he didn’t get SNACKS and who got punched in his very own lair. I’m not sure if Loyola was even able to retaliate but that does not matter. What people will think of and talk about is the fact that he got whacked inside his very own announcer’s booth.
Secondly, re-electionist Ruiz will now be forced to face a major PR disaster. For someone who’s seeking re-election, this type of publicity is the last thing that he needs. He may have been “hurt” by Loyola’s accusations and he may only be human…but for someone who’s been in politics for at least two terms, shouldn’t he be used to all these by now? Also, people’s minds will now be tickled — why was Ruiz so angry at such a seemingly small accusation? If the council did spend the money wisely during committee hearings and if there really is legal basis for the committees involved to spend a part of the expenses for “snacks,” then what’s there to worry about? Loyola is probably just another media practitioner who wants to magnify things plainly because…well…maybe because that’s what he does and that’s what he needs to do. Plain and simple.
As for Ruiz — sir, my unsolicited advise — extend your patience further. Keep your heart in check. And perhaps you can employ a staff member who will always remind you of PR and media strategies. Remember, media practitioners may be your enemies for now…but at the end of the day, there will come a time when they can be your allies as well.