(PHOTOS BY: PHOTOVILLE INTERNATIONAL)

Rey Tamayo, Jr.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, inilunsad sa publiko sa pamamagitan ng UNTV sa pangunguna ni Kuya Daniel Razon ang First Mobile Radio Booth sa bansa.

Ito ay kasabay ng opisyal na pagsasahimpapawid ng UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350khz na may tagline na “Tapat at Totoo sa Serbisyo Publiko” na ginanap sa One Esplanade, SM Central Business Park, Pasay City, kamakailan.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay bahagi pa rin ng adbokasiya ni Kuya na lalo pang mapaigting ang serbisyo publiko at paglilingkod bayan para sa ating mga kapwa tao.

“Ito’y panibago nating behikulo para magamit sa pamamahayag at ito’y kasabay ng UNTV at ito ang UNTV Radio, at kung nakikita niyo ito, ang ating UNTV Radio Mobile Booth at ito’y pwedeng iparada, dalhin…parang dala mo yung radio booth mo kahit saan ka magpunta at ito ang gagamitin natin sa iba’t ibang coverage natin,” wika Kuya Daniel.

Ayon sa Pangulong ng AdSpeak na si Mr. Lito Bamba, ang kompanyang gumawa ng nasabing Mobile Radio Booth, aminado siyang nahirapan siyang gawin ang nasabing proyekto ngunit pinilit niyang maisakatuparan upang makatulong na mapaglingkuran ang ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng paghahatid ng makabuluhan balita. Ayon pa kay Bamba, humahanga siya sa mga kakaibang konsepto at ideya na inilulunsad ni Kuya Daniel sa larangan ng pamamahayag.

“Pero ito yung ideya ni kuya, talagang kakaiba, well patunay na dumaan nga sa Senado kanina, maraming nagulat na media, so I hope yung iba magsusunuran na rin sa idea ni Kuya at talagang makapag serbisyo din sa publiko ng tamang pagbabalita,” ani Bamba.

Isa rin sa mga pangunahing layunin ni Mr. Public Service ay ang pagnanais niyang muling maibalik ang “Glory days” ng radyo at malaman ng publiko ang tunay na esensya ng pagkakaroon nito at maging alternatibong behikulo ng malayang pamamahayag.

“Hindi naman natin kinokontra ‘yung idea ng paglalagay ng radyo sa telebisyon. In the first place, eh, ako ang isa sa mga unang sumalang sa ganung klase nung nasa kabilang himpilan pa tayo. Ang sa akin lang ay ‘yung maibalik natin yung naiwawala na ngayon sa radyo. So, anybody can do whatever it is na nasa idea nila at konsepto nila. Ang sa akin, mayroon akong nakita at nararamdaman na nawala ang glory ng radyo dahil doon sa paglaganap nga noong nakikita ‘yung mga announcers din at the same time dahil nasa loob ng booth ng radyo, napapanood na rin. So, sa akin lang eh, may mga bagay ako na gustong habulin pa rin siguro para doon sa sariling mundo rin ng radyo na dapat, eh, ginagalawan niya at dapat eh naa-achieve ng mga nakikinig. So, that’s one of those things na gusto kong magawa sana with the UNTV Radio,”ani Kuya.

Nais din niyang madala ang mga radio news anchor sa mismong lugar na kung saan may maiinit na isyu o pinangyarihan ng partikular na balita upang personal nila itong makikita at makapagbigay ng komentaryo at opinyon hinggil sa mga naturang usapin.

Maaari rin umanong mahingan ng tulong ng ating mga kababayan ang nasabing UNTV Radio Mobile Booth saan mang lugar sila maratnan nito tulad ng mga libreng panawagan, mga suhestiyon na nais iparating sa mga kinauukulan at iba’t ibang paraan ng paghahatid ng tunay na serbisyo publiko .

“Ang pagpapatuloy ng ating public service, dun tayo naka-concentrate at mga karagdagan pang public service na ating isinasagawa. At yan ay tuluy-tuloy, sinusustinihan natin. And, of course, yung iba’t ibang pamamaraan at iba pang public service na ating uumpisahan at yung mga dati pa na atin namang itutuloy,” pahayag ni Mr. Public Service.

Jan. 6, 2012

GUARIN’S KILLING IS A STARK REMINDER OF IMPUNITY

2012, a new year but little changed than years past in the murder of media workers in the Philippines.

The gunmen who attacked Christopher Guarin, publisher of the General Santos City-based Tatak News, Wednesday night made sure he was dead. They shot him at least five times in the body and once in the head, ambushing him as he drove home with his wife and nine-year old daughter, and then chasing him down as he tried to flee.

Guarin was the first journalist murdered in the Philippines this year, less than a week into the New Year.

He joins the long list of murdered Filipino journalists – 150 since 1986, 10 of them under the Aquino administration – all of whom continue to cry out for genuine justice. For, in the 10 cases that have seen convictions, only those who pulled the trigger were punished. No one who ever gave the order to kill a journalist has been convicted.

His death is a stark reminder that impunity in the country remains very much alive, fostered by the glaring lack of inaction, even apathy, by government, belying President Benigno Aquino III’s pledge of justice and respect for rights in his quest for “tuwid na daan.”

We demand that Mr. Aquino unequivocally order all concerned agencies not just to arrest and ensure the conviction of Guarin’s killers, including the masterminds, but also to – on pain of sanctions – end all extrajudicial killings and ensure justice to the victims.

Unless you do, Mr. President, the blood of Guarin and everyone else, past, present and future, for whom justice is denied will ever stain your hands.

Reference:

Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
NUJP Chairperson

———–

JOINT STATEMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY MEDIA

We, members of the press in General Santos City, condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and defenseless assassination of colleague Christopher Guarin who was murdered in the presence of his wife and daughter Thursday evening.

We are alarmed and appalled over the brazenness of the attack that further reinforced the prevailing culture of impunity.

We urged police authorities to immediately pursue, apprehend and prosecute the assailants and identify the masterminds behind the killing.

We want police authorities to extend their investigation to cover all the other killings in the city.

We are saddened by the growing reputation of General Santos City as the most dangerous place for journalist in the country today with over 20 members of the press already killed since 1986, including 14 who perished in the Ampatuan massacre.

We do not want to believe there is an ongoing campaign to eliminate us from our profession but until these heinous crimes are solved, we cannot help but be outraged.

Let the killings stop.

Stop killing journalists.

NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALIST IN THE PHILIPPINES – Socgen Chapter

KAPISANAN NG MGA BRODKASTER SA PILIPINAS – Sargen Chapter

PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY

TRI-MEDIA ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL SANTOS AND CENTRAL MINDANAO

SOCSKSARGEN PRESS CLUB

Alert

Jan. 6, 2011

A publisher based in General Santos City was shot and killed late Thursday evening, journalists in the area said.

Unidentified gunmen riding in tandem assailed Christopher Guarin, publisher of Tatak News, along Conel Road at around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, according to ABS-CBN Socsargen reporter Rhea Lara.

An update from Edwin Espejo of Asian Correspondent said Guarin and his wife were riding their Kia sedan when the gunmen attacked them. His wife was also reportedly wounded.

Guarin was reported to have sustained five gunshot wounds in different parts of the body and one in the head. He was rushed to the General Santos City Hospital but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Guarin was also former manager of the defunct dxBB RGMA Super Radyo General Santos. He is the first media practitioner killed in 2012.

Reference:

Rowena C. Paraan

Executive Coordinator

NUJP-IFJ Media Safety Office

Photo by: Photoville International / Ritchie Tongo

According to the Bohol chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Silagon was walking alone and had just left his residence when shot. The gunmen reportedly pumped four bullets into the victim, one of which hit Silagon in the nape and exited in the left side of his face. The suspects fled towards the grassy area of the road upon seeing Silagon fall on the pavement.

The victim’s live-in partner, Marites Estoria, said she heard the gunfire. When informed by their neighbor that Silagon was shot, she hurried to the crime scene and rushed Silagon to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. The victim was still alive but died in the hospital in the afternoon of the same day.

Silagon’s Bohol Balita Daily News is the only daily in Trinidad and is published in the vernacular.

Police authorities, however, remain clueless on the identities of the killers and motive of killing. Silagon was walking on his way to the bus terminal to take a ride to Loay town when the motor-riding suspects accosted him. According to the police report, one of suspects was a woman.

Silagon also served as chief executive officer of the Loay Community Multi-purpose Cooperative, which according to cooperative officers, was doing quite well and branching to at least seven towns. They said it was Silagon who was able to stabilize the cooperative after several years of struggling to stay afloat.

Silagon is survived by his wife, Arlinda, and five children.

NUJP-Bohol condemned the killing and, together with Silagon’s family, urged authorities to speed up the probe and bring the suspects to justice.

Reference:

Rowena C. Paraan

NUJP-IFJ Media Safety Office

Hindi man kasing engrande tulad ng tradisyunal na konsiyerto na kung saan hinahakot ng mga prodyuser ang mga bigating artista sa pinilakang tabing at mga sikat na mang-aawit sa industriya ng musika, isang natatanging konsiyerto ang nasaksihan ng publiko na ang pangunahing layunin ay tulungan ang mga kababayan nating kapus-palad at mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan.

Katangi tangi ang ipinamalas na abilidad at konsepto ng tinaguriang Mr. Public Service na si Kuya Daniel Razon sa kaniyang di matatawarang konsiyerto na ginanap kamakailan (Nobyembre 28, 2011) sa Smart- Araneta Coliseum.

Pagkakawanggawa ang punto de vista ng nasabing konsiyerto.

Bukod sa mga kabataang mag-aaral na makababahagi ng libreng edukasyon at sa mga kababayahan nating may mga karamdaman na maaaring malunasan ng libreng medikasyon; binigyan din ng importansiya ni Kuya Daniel ang mga kababayan nating may kapansanan na makapagtanghal sa entablado upang kahit papaano’y makamit ang matagal nang minimithi na munting pangarap.

Ang tila madilim na pangarap na matagal nang inaaninag sa malayo ay nagkaroon ng bahagyang liwanag.

Ang tila mailap na kapalaran na hinahadlangan pa ng tanikala ay bahagyang nahawakan.

Ang bawat titik, letra, tinig, musika at pagkakataon ang naging puhunan upang iparating, ipaabot, at ipakita sa publiko na ang mga katulad nilang may kapansanan ay bahagi rin ng lipunan.

Lipunan na mag-aabot ng kamay upang ibangon ang mga ibinagsak ng kahirapan at inilugmok ng kawalang pag-asa.

Hindi kayang sukatin ng bawat himig na narinig na nagdulot ng kaligayahan sa mga nakasaksi. Sa mga tulad nilang bulag ang paningin, sapat na ang palakpak upang ipakita na mahalaga sila sa lipunan. Sapat na rin ang standing ovation sa mga tulad nilang lumpo upang makasama sila sa paghakbang ng isang malayang soberanya.

Marahil hindi titingkad ang kulay ng lipunan kung wala ang istorya ng ating mga kababayan na minsan isang panahon ay kinalimutan ng gobyerno. At ito ang pilit na ipinapaalala ni Kuya Daniel na sila’y may malaking papel sa istorya ng ating bayan.

Sari-saring istorya, kung minsa’y masalimuot, kung minsa’y mahirap unawain. Ngunit sa gabing iyon ng konsiyerto muling binasag ni Kuya ang kaisipang indibidwalismo.

Hindi lamang ang isang indibidwal ang gagawa ng daang kaniyang tatahakin o kaya’y magsusulat ng istorya ng kaniyang buhay, dahil may kolektibong sangkap ang bawat istorya.

May mga magulang na pumapatnubay, may mga kaibigang mahihingan ng tulong, may mga kakilalang nagmamalasakit at higit sa lahat, may Dios na mahihingan ng tulong. At ang lahat ng ito’y ang siyang papanday ng istorya ng ating buhay.

(Photo by: Jonathan Tribiana)

Mang Jhonny Susi, isa sa mga special guest ni Kuya Daniel sa kaniyang konsiyerto (Photo by: Gaye Fritz Albert Ofilas)

Ginang Marivic Chengo, isa sa mga special guest ni Kuya Daniel sa kaniyang konsiyerto ( Photo by: Rey Tamayo, Jr.)

Ang mga special guest ni Kuya Daniel sa kaniyang konsiyerto (Photo by: Jonathan Corpuz Tribiana)

CHAPTER I
EFFECT AND APPLICATION OF LAWS

Article 1. This Act shall be known as the “Civil Code of the Philippines.” (n)
Art. 2. Laws shall take effect after fifteen days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette, unless it is otherwise provided. This Code shall take effect one year after such publication. (1a)
Art. 3. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. (2)
Art. 4. Laws shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary is provided. (3)
Art. 5. Acts executed against the provisions of mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void, except when the law itself authorizes their validity. (4a)
Art. 6. Rights may be waived, unless the waiver is contrary to law, public order, public policy, morals, or good customs, or prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law. (4a)
Art. 7. Laws are repealed only by subsequent ones, and their violation or non-observance shall not be excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary.
When the courts declared a law to be inconsistent with the Constitution, the former shall be void and the latter shall govern.
Administrative or executive acts, orders and regulations shall be valid only when they are not contrary to the laws or the Constitution. (5a)
Art. 8. Judicial decisions applying or interpreting the laws or the Constitution shall form a part of the legal system of the Philippines. (n)
Art. 9. No judge or court shall decline to render judgment by reason of the silence, obscurity or insufficiency of the laws. (6)
Art. 10. In case of doubt in the interpretation or application of laws, it is presumed that the lawmaking body intended right and justice to prevail. (n)
Art. 11. Customs which are contrary to law, public order or public policy shall not be countenanced. (n)
Art. 12. A custom must be proved as a fact, according to the rules of evidence. (n)
Art. 13. When the laws speak of years, months, days or nights, it shall be understood that years are of three hundred sixty-five days each; months, of thirty days; days, of twenty-four hours; and nights from sunset to sunrise.
If months are designated by their name, they shall be computed by the number of days which they respectively have.
In computing a period, the first day shall be excluded, and the last day included. (7a)
Art. 14. Penal laws and those of public security and safety shall be obligatory upon all who live or sojourn in the Philippine territory, subject to the principles of public international law and to treaty stipulations. (8a)
Art. 15. Laws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, condition and legal capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living abroad. (9a)
Art. 16. Real property as well as personal property is subject to the law of the country where it is stipulated.
However, intestate and testamentary successions, both with respect to the order of succession and to the amount of successional rights and to the intrinsic validity of testamentary provisions, shall be regulated by the national law of the person whose succession is under consideration, whatever may be the nature of the property and regardless of the country wherein said property may be found. (10a)
Art. 17. The forms and solemnities of contracts, wills, and other public instruments shall be governed by the laws of the country in which they are executed.
When the acts referred to are executed before the diplomatic or consular officials of the Republic of the Philippines in a foreign country, the solemnities established by Philippine laws shall be observed in their execution.
Prohibitive laws concerning persons, their acts or property, and those which have, for their object, public order, public policy and good customs shall not be rendered ineffective by laws or judgments promulgated, or by determinations or conventions agreed upon in a foreign country. (11a)
Art. 18. In matters which are governed by the Code of Commerce and special laws, their deficiency shall be supplied by the provisions of this Code. (16a)

CHAPTER 2
HUMAN RELATIONS (n)

Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.
Art. 20. Every person who, contrary to law, wilfully or negligently causes damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.
Art. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the latter for the damage.
Art. 22. Every person who through an act of performance by another, or any other means, acquires or comes into possession of something at the expense of the latter without just or legal ground, shall return the same to him.
Art. 23. Even when an act or event causing damage to another’s property was not due to the fault or negligence of the defendant, the latter shall be liable for indemnity if through the act or event he was benefited.
Art. 24. In all contractual, property or other relations, when one of the parties is at a disadvantage on account of his moral dependence, ignorance, indigence, mental weakness, tender age or other handicap, the courts must be vigilant for his protection.
Art. 25. Thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency may be stopped by order of the courts at the instance of any government or private charitable institution.
Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief:
(1) Prying into the privacy of another’s residence:
(2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another;
(3) Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends;
(4) Vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition.
Art. 27. Any person suffering material or moral loss because a public servant or employee refuses or neglects, without just cause, to perform his official duty may file an action for damages and other relief against he latter, without prejudice to any disciplinary administrative action that may be taken.
Art. 28. Unfair competition in agricultural, commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor through the use of force, intimidation, deceit, machination or any other unjust, oppressive or highhanded method shall give rise to a right of action by the person who thereby suffers damage.
Art. 29. When the accused in a criminal prosecution is acquitted on the ground that his guilt has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, a civil action for damages for the same act or omission may be instituted. Such action requires only a preponderance of evidence. Upon motion of the defendant, the court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to answer for damages in case the complaint should be found to be malicious.
If in a criminal case the judgment of acquittal is based upon reasonable doubt, the court shall so declare. In the absence of any declaration to that effect, it may be inferred from the text of the decision whether or not the acquittal is due to that ground.
Art. 30. When a separate civil action is brought to demand civil liability arising from a criminal offense, and no criminal proceedings are instituted during the pendency of the civil case, a preponderance of evidence shall likewise be sufficient to prove the act complained of.
Art. 31. When the civil action is based on an obligation not arising from the act or omission complained of as a felony, such civil action may proceed independently of the criminal proceedings and regardless of the result of the latter.
Art. 32. Any public officer or employee, or any private individual, who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs any of the following rights and liberties of another person shall be liable to the latter for damages:
(1) Freedom of religion;
(2) Freedom of speech;
(3) Freedom to write for the press or to maintain a periodical publication;
(4) Freedom from arbitrary or illegal detention;
(5) Freedom of suffrage;
(6) The right against deprivation of property without due process of law;
(7) The right to a just compensation when private property is taken for public use;
(8) The right to the equal protection of the laws;
(9) The right to be secure in one’s person, house, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures;
(10) The liberty of abode and of changing the same;
(11) The privacy of communication and correspondence;
(12) The right to become a member of associations or societies for purposes not contrary to law;
(13) The right to take part in a peaceable assembly to petition the government for redress of grievances;
(14) The right to be free from involuntary servitude in any form;
(15) The right of the accused against excessive bail;
(16) The right of the accused to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witness in his behalf;
(17) Freedom from being compelled to be a witness against one’s self, or from being forced to confess guilt, or from being induced by a promise of immunity or reward to make such confession, except when the person confessing becomes a State witness;
(18) Freedom from excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment, unless the same is imposed or inflicted in accordance with a statute which has not been judicially declared unconstitutional; and
(19) Freedom of access to the courts.
In any of the cases referred to in this article, whether or not the defendant’s act or omission constitutes a criminal offense, the aggrieved party has a right to commence an entirely separate and distinct civil action for damages, and for other relief. Such civil action shall proceed independently of any criminal prosecution (if the latter be instituted), and mat be proved by a preponderance of evidence.
The indemnity shall include moral damages. Exemplary damages may also be adjudicated.
The responsibility herein set forth is not demandable from a judge unless his act or omission constitutes a violation of the Penal Code or other penal statute.
Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries a civil action for damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be brought by the injured party. Such civil action shall proceed independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a preponderance of evidence.
Art. 34. When a member of a city or municipal police force refuses or fails to render aid or protection to any person in case of danger to life or property, such peace officer shall be primarily liable for damages, and the city or municipality shall be subsidiarily responsible therefor. The civil action herein recognized shall be independent of any criminal proceedings, and a preponderance of evidence shall suffice to support such action.
Art. 35. When a person, claiming to be injured by a criminal offense, charges another with the same, for which no independent civil action is granted in this Code or any special law, but the justice of the peace finds no reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has been committed, or the prosecuting attorney refuses or fails to institute criminal proceedings, the complaint may bring a civil action for damages against the alleged offender. Such civil action may be supported by a preponderance of evidence. Upon the defendant’s motion, the court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to indemnify the defendant in case the complaint should be found to be malicious.
If during the pendency of the civil action, an information should be presented by the prosecuting attorney, the civil action shall be suspended until the termination of the criminal proceedings.
Art. 36. Pre-judicial questions which must be decided before any criminal prosecution may be instituted or may proceed, shall be governed by rules of court which the Supreme Court shall promulgate and which shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this Code.

Rey Tamayo, Jr.

Minsan iniiwasang kong humawak ng kamera
at silipin ang makipot na guwang ng lente.
May kung anong takot ang nagbabanta
sa pagsipat ng mga obrang larawan.

Kung sa bawat pitik ay may bahid ng dugo–
Parang ayaw kong pitikin ang gatilyo nito.

Minsan mahirap ipaliwanag ang mapaniil na larawan;
Na uukit sa ilahas ng realismo.
May mga gabing mailap ang bahagyang idlip,
Dahil gumuguhit ang talim ng mga imahe.

Kung sa bawat pitik ay may tilamsik ng pangamba—
Parang nais ko pang depokado ang larawan.

Minsan mahirap kumuha ng emosyon—
Masalimuot ang paghanap ng anggulo,
At madalas buhay ang kapalit ng komposisyon.

Ngunit ito ang daigdig ng litratista-
Patuloy sa pagpiglas upang makita ang liwanag.
Liwanag na magpapalaya sa nakakulong na idealismo.

Statement

November 8, 2011

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomes the decision of the Court of Appeals’ Special 11th Division junking the petition of Zaldy Ampatuan to be excluded as an accused in the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre case.

The decision is a positive development in the case that has been marred with continued delays due to maneuverings of the Ampatuan camp and inherent weaknesses of the Philippine judicial system.

We hope that the Court of Appeals and other courts will similarly act against blatant attempts of the accused to escape from prosecution and gain temporary or permanent liberty.

There is no longer any reason to further delay the indictment of Zaldy Ampatuan and all other principal accused.

As we mark the second year of this gruesome crime, we call on the Filipino people to remain steadfast in seeking justice for all the victims and their families.

We invite all people who believe in justice and democracy to join the various activities commemorating the second anniversary of the massacre. As we march to Mendiola on November 23, let us call on the Aquino government to make good on its promise to bring perpetrators of the massacre and all extra-judicial killings to justice.

For reference:

Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

Chairman

09177256333

Rowena Paraan

Secretary General

09104950095

Daisy Leano, program manager of dzVT 1395, said the blaze was started around 1:00 a.m. at the station compound in Bgy (village) Labangan.

Burned were the station’s 5-kilowatt AM transmitter, an FM transmitter, sound and engineering equipment, 10 desktop computers and two laptops.

Leano said there was an earlier attempt to torch the station on October 20.

“Nakita lang po ng technician on duty. Naapula po ang apoy pero yung generator set ay nasunog (The technician on duty was able to see the fire. It was put off but the generator set was burned),” she said. “Pero nakapag-broadcast pa kami kasi may power supply pa (We were still able to go on air because we still have power supply).”

“But in a matter of five days, tinuluyan na. (the station was finally burned),”she added.

Nobody was able to witness the incident, said Leano.”Ni hindi tumahol ang mga aso (Even the dogs did not bark).”

In a phone interview, the Philippine National Police in San Jose town said they have yet to identify the perpetrators. However, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Artemio Hicban implicated the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) in the incident.

But Leano told Radyo Veritas and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines: “Wala po kaming official statement na ang apoy ay galing sa NPA (We do not have any official statement that NPA was behind the burning).”

She did say the incident could be politically-motivated because their station airs commentary programs.

“Hindi maiiwasan na may masasagasaan. Pero isa lang ang tinuturo ng mga tao dito. Meron po silang tinuturong politiko. (We cannot avoid hitting certain personalities. But residents here are pointing to only one politician as being behind this),” she said.

The Diocese of Occidental Mindoro will meet with dzVT officials this afternoon. Leano said with the extent of damages, they could not go on air.

Reference:
Rowena Paraan
Secretary General
0910.495.0095

Damages due to typhoons Pedring and Quiel reach almost P10 billion according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Photos by: Rey Tamayo, Jr.