Golden Journal: 07 October 2007

Friday, October 12, 2007

Muslims celebrate 'Eid Al-Fitr'; mark to end Ramadan

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (Oct.12) – Muslims in the southern Philippines on Friday celebrated the Eid Al-Fitr that marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

About 10,000 Muslims, led by Governor Sakur Tan, converge in front of the Sulu provincial capitol in southern Philippines to pray Friday Oct. 12, 2007 that marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and signals the start of the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, where Muslims feast on food and revelry. (Sulu Provincial Media Desk)

Some 10,000 Muslims, led by Gov. Sakur Tan, converged in front of the Sulu provincial capitol in Patikul town where they performed the Eid prayer and thousands more in different town across Sulu.

"This is a celebration of faith, a renewal of the Muslim faith and the time to help the less fortunate or the poor. Muslims are celebrating the Eid all over the world and we, in Sulu celebrate the blessings of God and that is peace and prosperity," Tan said.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. And at the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr of the Festival of Fast-Breaking.

Eid al-Fitr is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. "The Eid (celebration) brings us, our family together. We eat and celebrate and pray together and thank Allah for all the blessings in life. It is also the time to help the poor," one worshipper, Ibrahim Usman, said in a separate interview. (Sulu Provincial Media Desk)

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Six white slavery suspects nabbed, 7 girls saved

By BENJAMIN BALCE

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal - (PatNational Bureau of Investigation agents rescued seven girls from alleged sex den and arrested six people, including its owners, during a raid in Purok 10-C-2, Tambak Lower Doongan in Butuan City on Thursday evening.

Arrested were Cherry Corcullo, 33, her common-law husband Roque Makilang, alias Oking, 21, of General Santos; Bernaderick Barbado, 24, of Veruela, Agusan del Sur; Rowena Arcala, 24, of Bitan-agan, Butuan City;Charlesbeth Que, 20, also of Butuan; and Olibert Orcullo, 26, of San Agustin, Surigal del Sur.

NBI special investigator for Caraga Joel Vernon Femalino said the girls were all of minors and were from Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

The raid was carried out on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Edgar Manilag based on a complaint filed by mother of one of the victims.

In a sworn satatement, the woman said her 13-year old daughter ran away from home. She said she found her daughter last week in front of D’ Arthur restaurant on Montilla Boulevard while waiting for customers.

The woman said she took her daughter home and there, she confided that she was recruited by an underaged commercial sex worker.

The woman said her daughter was promised to be housed in a comfortable place, good food and nice clothes. The girl was also allegedly promised a mobile phone in exchange for accepting work from Corcullo and Makilang.

The woman said the girl started working last month and stayed a house leased out to Corcullo at Lower Doongan. There, other minors were allegedly turned into commercial sex workers under heavy guard.

But instead of a comfortable living conditions, the woman said her daughter was only given money for her food and billed for her stay in the house.

Every night, the girls were allegedly brought to Montilla Boulevard where they were to wait for costumers until 4 am the following morning.

The raiding NBI team swooped down on the alleged sex den at around 4pm, rounded up the six suspects and rescued seven girls.

Fermalino said the suspects would be charged with child trafficking for commercial prostitution.

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Wounded radioman identifies attacker

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (Ben Balce / Oct 12) — Radio commentator Jose "Joe" Pantoja, who was shot on Oct. 8 in Iligan City, has furnished police the name of one of his assassins after he woke up at the intensive care unit, a police official said yesterday.

THE GUNMEN. Pantoja shows to Cagayan de Oro mediamen the cartographic sketch of the three suspects during a press conference held at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC).

Pantoja, who remains in hospital after surgery was done on his intestines and liver which were punctured by bullets, reportedly whispered the name to his wife Grace who then reported it to the police.

Sources said the identified suspect, believed to be a gun-for-hire, could be hiding out in Lanao del Norte. He is said to be a bodyguard of a lawyer closely associated with a politician.

"It seems he (Pantoja) knows all the assailants," said Insp. Venancio Reuyan, chief of the Iligan police precinct 1, said in a phone interview. He said they are waiting for Pantoja to recover enough to sign an affidavit against the suspects.

Two names surfaced earlier after authorities leaked a cartographic sketch of three suspects, and a mugshot of one of them. Reuyan said Pantoja’s revelation would help the police investigating the case even as he hinted of a new angle. "We cannot name names yet. But we will not stop on our previous lead," he said.
He reiterated that investigators suspect that the attack is related to politics and a ranking government official is behind it.

He also said they transferred Pantoja to an undisclosed place to secure him since the threat against his life remains.

Pantoja, a hard-hitting political commentator and block-timer of radio station DxLS-Love Radio, was attacked near the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) as he was about to have a document photocopied.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Press Club links Radioman's shooting to drugs, illegal gambling

CAGAYAN de Oro City (Mike Baños / Oct 9) – A task force organized by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club to probe the shooting of a colleague believes it is linked to organized crime dealing in illegal drugs and gambling.

SURVIVOR. Pantoja shows the cartographic sketch of the gunman in a press conference held at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC).

Three armed men aboard a motorcycle shot Jose C. Pantoja , a radio blocktimer in Iligan City early Monday morning near the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) as he was having some documents photocopied.

Mr. Pantoja is the host of the radio program " Isumbong mo kay Joe Pantoja" aired daily over dxLS Love Radio. He was shot three times with a .45 –caliber pistol and sustained gunshot wounds in the intestines and liver.

"Police sources have told COPC's Task Force Pantoja that the surveillance camera used to monitor traffic in the area was turned off at the time of the shooting, but only for this particular area ," said former COPC president Herbie Gomez.

"We have reason to believe a powerful politician may have given the sanction against Joe Pantoja. The Iligan city hall must find out and tell us why the cam was not functioning at that time."

Contrary to earlier reports, there were three, and not two assailants and they did not wear bonnets. At least ten people witnessed the shooting.

The Iligan City Police Office under Police Sr. Supt. Virgilio Ranes has come up with artists sketches of the three suspects based on witnesses accounts. One of the suspects has been identified as Romeo Ragasajo y Maglasang of Zone Pisces II, Suaraez, Iligan City. However, all three eluded arrest and remain at large as of presstime.

Mr. Pantoja ran for city councilor in the last elections but did not make it. He openly supported a politician from a nearby province who was opposed by another political figure who has been rumored to be linked to illegal drugs and gambling in Iligan and Lanao.

Although Mr. Pantoja reportedly gained consciousness Tuesday morning, he remains under heavy police guard in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital following a direct request of COPC President Jerry Orcullo to Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan.

From San Francisco, California , former COPC President Ben Emata expressed his sadness at the shooting of his colleague in the press club.

"We must not leave a single stone unturned for the arrest of the suspects. Joe was a member of good standing of the Cagayan de Oro media and I know him very well. He was so young when he joined the media. I used to give him tips on how to write and report news items as well as the ethics of journalism. He was a friend and an asset to the COPC. I hope he will survive in his predicament and tell his story about the crime. This is the first to happen to our member. Please let us unite always and fight the enemies of press freedom."

In a press conference called by Task Force Pantoja at the COPC office Tuesday morning, former COPC President said the Pantoja shooting marked the first time in fifty six years that a journalist has been directly attacked in Region 10.

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CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (Ben Balce / Oct. 9) - A hardhitting political commentator Jose Cagalawan Pantoja was shot three times in the stomach by a still unidentified, motorcycle-riding gunman along the national highway fronting Mindanao State University (MSU-IIT) in Tibanga, Iligan City, police officials said Monday.

Pantoja, 38, was taken to the Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital in Iligan City. He remains in serious condition.

Pantoja is known as an anti-administration commentator. He works at Love Radio, an FM station in Iligan City.

Iligan City police chief Senior Supt Virgilio Ranes said Pantoja was shot on his way home at around 7 a.m. after taking his 10-year-old son to his school.

He said investigators are still looking for the real motive of the shooting but also said, "I think it's all about politics here in Iligan. Almost everyday 'yan (politics) ang topic niya sa kanyang radio program at diyan siya nakilala."

Ranes said Pantoja visited him in his office last April asking for poli
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Monday, October 08, 2007

Pacman hammers Barrera into retirement

LAS VEGAS, Nev — Manny Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Barrera in their super featherweight clash Saturday, sending the Mexican icon into retirement.

Two judges scored it 118-109 for Pacquiao who retained his WBC international super featherweight crown.

The third judge had it 115-112.

It was Pacquiao’s second victory over Barrera after an 11th round technical knockout in November 2003.

President Arroyo led Filipinos in lauding Pacquiao saying the people’s champ is the Philippines’ gift to the world of boxing.

"Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao once again buoyed the nation’s spirit with his excellent fighting form and indomitable spirit. We join all Filipinos in celebrating his well-deserved victory," she said.

"It was a good fight," said Pacquiao.

"It was different from our first fight. He is a good, smart boxer. I knew he’d have to box me, and that’s what he did."

Although the bout was widely expected to be explosive, it was frequently tactical, with Barrera working behind a steady jab and circling to his left to stay away from Pacquiao’s powerful southpaw left hand.

However, after a relatively cautious opening four rounds, the fight came to life in the fifth.

Barrera, a former three-time world champion, landed an uppercut.

Pacquiao responded with a left and the two exchanged furious combinations against the ropes.

The sixth round saw more toe-to-toe action but in the succeeding rounds Pacquiao asserted control, moving to his right to cut Barrera off and unloading flurries of punches before the Mexican could counter.

In the 11th, a solid left from Pacquiao drove Barrera to the ropes but he fought back with a flurry before being hurt again with another right-left combination.

As referee Tony Weeks moved in to separate them from a clinch, Barrera threw a punch on the break, causing Weeks to halt the action and deduct a point.

"He has such a strong defense, it was difficult to break through," Barrera said after the fight.

"I’m sad because I lost the fight, and he didn’t land many punches. He didn’t hurt me. I thought I controlled the fight with my left hand." – Reuters/ Malaya

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WHY do we have to care for our environment? Why does the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region 10 care for “cinchona” trees in Bukidnon province?

These are two basic questions that cropped up after the DENR-10 hosted a three-day “Press Privilege Tour” which showcased some of the DENR projects in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

While people have different views in caring for the environment, observers say that there is a need to care for the environment because it is the life and legacy of the next generation.

On one hand, the government, especially the DENR, sees-to-it that forest lands are well managed, protected and wisely utilized thus it has implemented the “Cinchona Forest Reserve,” in Barangay Kaatoan in Lantapan, Bukidnon.

To give you a better idea on what “cinchona” tree is, here is what an official of DENR-10 tells me:

During the lecture on Expanded Forest Protection at Cinchona Reforestation Project, Regional Forest Protection Task Forest chief Ernesto L. Lezada of DENR 10 said the Cinchona Forest Reserve in the province of Bukidnon was first established sometime in 1929 by the defunct Bureau of Forestry.

Its first Project Manager Forester Altamerano whose objective is to produce cinchona bark or the so-called “bark wealth” for the purpose of producing anti-malaria drugs, according to Lezada, headed it.

The cinchona species, according to Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park protected area superintendent Felix Mirasol was introduced originated from Java, Indonesia. He said that the first trial planting showed suitability of the species to the area.

The next several years was engaged in the massive planting of the species that reached up to 500 hectares including nursery establishments.

With this encouraging development, on September 22, 1936 Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon issued the Presidential Proclamation no. 83 declaring the 1,994 hectares as the Kaatoan Forest Reserve for experimental planting of quinine, forest protection and timber production.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1941, the planting was stopped.

Ecosystem Research and Development Division chief Danilo C. Cacanindin said that in 1943, the Kaatoan Forest Reserve including Barangay Kaatoan were made as Japanese garrison and took possession of the area until 1945. A year after, the Americans soldiers occupied Barangay Alanib, few kilometers from Kaatoan.

Cacanindin said that a joint American and Filipino soldiers coming from Talakag, Bukidnon engaged the Japanese soldiers in a fierce fight at Cinchona. Outnumbered and with so many casualties, the Japanese soldiers retreated and left the place. On the other hand, the Americans stayed for a while at Cinchona but left in the same year of 1945.

The following year, cinchona plantation establishment and nursery activities resumed under Forester Tadeo, who served as its project manager. Accordingly, the former project manager Altamerano was killed during the Japanese occupation along with a number of plantation workers and local residents of the area.

In 1956, the whole area was reclassified as alienable and disposable land by then President Ramon Magsaysay by virtue of Presidential Proclamation no. 364. This revoked earlier Proclamation no. 83. It meant that the whole area was opened for cultivation for agricultural purposes and titling to private individuals.

However, the Bureau of Forestry continued its management and protection the reason why not all of the forest reserve were occupied by private individuals and applied for titling.

In 1961 to 1962, the area was also planted with other fast growing tree species such as Falcata, Mahogany and Eucalyptus. Presently, these trees have attained over maturity and are now towering the cinchona compound with an average diameter from 120 to 200 centimeters.

In 1966 to 1968, Hucomad and Jiram companies conducted the First harvesting of the cinchona bark with raw materials directly exported to Brazil. The second harvesting was took place in 1972-73.Thereafter, the plan for harvesting has stopped for reason that malaria illness had been controlled and that other countries have already found alternative source of materials for the manufacture of Malaria drugs. Since then, the price of cinchona bark has gone down and harvesting was no longer feasible.

On July 11, 1988, former President Corazon C. Aquino issued presidential proclamation No. 283 declaring the whole area for “Quinine and Reservation and Experimental” purposes. The proclamation strengthens the status of the project existence and closes all legal issues on the intention of the area.

On November 9, 2000, Congress through the recommendation of the President passed Republic Act 8978 also known as the Mt. Kitanglad Act of 2000, which included the whole of Cinchona area as part of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park.

The Cinchona plantation in the province of Bukidnon is the only plantation found in the whole country to date. The 7 cinchona species planted are calisaya, hybrid, kartamanah, officinalis, succirubra, tjinjiroan and ledgeriana. The present plantation manifests Filipino expertise in tree growing which now becomes the host to some endangered faunal species in the world.

Cinchona area is also host to 5 series of waterfalls of Kulasihan River and sacred ground to our brother Indigenous Peoples. In the recently built table and IP ritual building, giant bamboos and kilala had grown which manifest the activities of the earlier IP’s in the area.

The Kulasihan River is a wonder. In the upstream, the water is visible but further away downstream, the whole river is gone. Many believed that it is an underground river whose exit is the Matin-ao Spring in Barangay Bangcud, which are several kilometers away from the source.

Protecting the environment is not the responsibility of the DENR alone but the responsibility of all. The efforts of our foresters for they are continuously preserving the cinchona trees in Bukidnon through its project “Cinchona Forest Reserve,” in Barangay Kaatoaan, Lantapan, Bukidnon, is one way of caring the environment. (Ben Balce)

NORTHERN Mindanao Medical Center

Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), a center of wellness and excellence, DOH accredited tertiary hospital in Region 10, is a 300-bed capacity care institution. Formerly known as Northern Mindanao Regional Training hospital (NMRTH), it was renamed in its present classification as a Medical Center by virtue of RA 7938 on March 11, 1995.NMMC is located within the Provincial Capitol Compound in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines. It was now headed by NMMC (acting) chief of hospital Dr. Jose Chan. It is an 89 year old hospital that metamorphosed initially as a 20-bed Misamis Public Hospital in 1918 to a 50-bed Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital in 1945, then a 200-bed NMRTH in 1966 and finally, as the present 300-bed NMMC in 1995. As a tertiary heath facility, NMMC aims to serve and provide the highest attainable health care in the whole Region 10 and the neighboring provinces and municipalities.

By BEN EMATA
Editor, GetRight Bulletin, Fremont, California, USA
Internet ColumnistFormer President, Cagayan de Oro Press Club
Former President, Fil-Am Press Club of Silicon Valley of California

Gentlemen/Ladies,

Mapait nga balita ang midagsang kanatong tanan. Usa sa atong kauban sa radio ang gipusil didto sa dakbayan sa Iligan ug hangtud karong adlawa malisud ang kahimtang diha sa tambalanan.

Joe Pantoja, kanhi sa DXCO sa Cagayan de Oro atua na sa Iligan nanimpalad. Sakop siya sa COPC ug usa sa mga buotan nga bata sa media lokal. Karon nahitumpawak sa dautan nga kapalaran ug apiki usab ang kabutang sa pamilya. Pila raman lagi intawon ang sueldo niini.

Ang balaan nga kasulatan nagsugo kanato sa pagtinabangay. Mahimo man tingali nga kita dinhi sa America mag-usa alang sa pag-amuma sa usa ka igsoon sa buhat.

Si Don Primo Espina de Montebon mopadala sa atong panudlanan-tesorera, Dolly Ilogon, aron sa pagsugod pagtuyok sa ligid sa kapalaran.

Ako usa na ka retired apan dili pa gayud tired, mohatag usab sa mao gihapon nga kantidad. Si Senyorita Ilogon permi motabang ug mao usab si Senyora Ann Gorra de Rago.Kamo diha mga bantugan kanhiay nga sakop sa media sa Cagayan de Oro tingali motabang usab niini nga suliran sa atong igsoon.

Sa ngalan sa panagmahalay sa taga media, gitawag ko si Jay Valleser, Bramy Bayron, Rey Yanez, Gangging Lagman, Boy Guellena, Joe MacMang, Leonie Tan, Randy, ug uban pa sa pakig timbayayong alang ning atong kauban sa buhat.

Ato usab nga i-ampo si Jo Pantoja nga unta molungtad ang iyang pakigbisug sa kinabuhi ug maluwas siya niini nga katalagman.

Tiliwala sa hulga sa media, gihagit ko ang tanan sa pagbarug kanunay sa katungod sa katawhan ug sa pagsumpo sa mga kaaway sa media. Ipatindog nato ang bandila ug ipakita nato nga hangtud karon mas mahait ang gahum sa prensa kay sa armas de puego sa mga tonto, gago, loko ug mga talawan nga tawo sa kalibutan.

Manghinaut ako alang paglampus sa media sa tibuok kalibutan. Mabuhay and Long Live Press Freedom.

In Mindanao, they called him "Ben". In Luzon, they called him...Benjie, Bondying, and Benj. Anyway, Ben is a native of Capalonga, Camarines Norte; it was the place in the Southern part of Bicol region, wherein hundreds of catholic and non-catholic faith believers lodged during the celebration of the Feast of Jesus of Nazarene.

In his younger age, he spent mostly playing to his elder brother Alex. Ben and Alex were good friends and brothers. Carpentry like making "Bancas" or fishing boats was their fathers usually do. This was also the usual place for Ben and Alex to have more time to play. They also both accompanying their father catching fish and do farming.

At the age of 20, Ben played his role as the eldest brother to his 7 sisters and a younger brother Alvin when Alex accidentally died while studying in Manila. Ben treasured much his brother.

Ben was now married to Alona Viador Castillo with whom he has two children: Christine Joyce 13, and Dianne Angela 7. Ben finished his four-year course (Bachelor of arts major in Political Science) at the University of the East, Manila in 1992. Before he entered U.E., Ben was a former seminarian as he took up AB Philosophy (2nd year) at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City.

In 1996, he joined to Malaya, a national newspaper that circulating throughout the Philippines and Abante, a tabloid newspaper with also has a widely circulated copy not only throughout the Philippines but also in some countries in Asia.

His assignment in Mindanao brought him to cover the severe kidnapping incidents made by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) including some lawless elements and the government-confessed terrorists... the Abu Sayaff.

Ben was among the reporters like Manila-based Rommel Bagares of Philippine Star and Manny Timonera of Philippine Daily Inquirer who completely covered the peace talks between the GRP and the MILF in Marawi City and signing of an agreement for general cessation of hostilities between government and the MILF at the Pryce Plaza in Cagayan de Oro City.

Before the final signing of the agreement, he has been given the opportunity to met and interviewed privately Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs and Mohammad Alhaj Murad, MILF military affairs chief at Camp Abubakar in Butig, Lanao del Sur. He also met other MILF's high ranking officials like Lanao del Sur commander Salappudin Mimbantas, MNLF commander of the two Lanao provinces Abdul Jialil Narra, and Commander Bravo of Munai, Lanao del Norte.

He also covered two separate abduction of two foreign priest missionaries Msgr. Desmond Hartford and Fr. Johnham Robert Maez. Hartford was an Irish priest who was abducted by disgruntled members of the MNLF on October 27, 1997.

The kidnappers have been asking the government through National Program for Unification Development Council (NPUDC) to release livelihood funds amounting to P5 million in exchange for priest' release. Ben was among the seven local and national correspondents who covered Hartford's release early Saturday in Tangkal, Lanao del Norte after 13 days' captivity by former commanders of the MNLF's 3rd Mobile Army in Mindanao.

He also covered the kidnapping incident of Robert Johnham Maez, a Columban priest and missionary who were abducted by the MNLF rebel returnees while doing his mission in one of the town in Lanao del Sur. Maez was kidnapped by the MNLF rebel returnees to pressure the government, specifically the NPUDC, who holds their livelihood funds.

In 1997 to 2001, the raging war in central, southern and western Mindanao between the government forces and the MILF, as well as the continued attacks and encounters of the CPP/NPA in Bukidnon and Agusan provinces against the elements of the Army's 4th Infantry Division based at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City gave with him another great contribution as his name repeatedly by-lined in said newspapers. His stories were used as headline banners and kept front-pages in Malaya and Abante including in Mindanao Gold Star Daily, a local community newspaper in Mindanao.

Ben was also the first correspondent who took footage at Cebu Pacific's wreckage. He made shots the plane's remains as he was boarded at the Napocor's chopper together with the NAPOCOR's president and AFP's Civil Relations Service head Colonel Nestor Castillo.

In the same year of 1996, He joined in Gold star daily, the biggest newspaper in Mindanao, based in Cagayan de Oro City. Except of being a city reporter, after 3-months, he was appointed by Ernesto G. Chu, the Gold Star Daily's publisher to be the editorial cartoonist. Ben was a newspaperman and an editorial cartoonist for more than ten years now. He was also commissioned as the Executive Editor of the Quarterly Newsletter of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) of the Philippine National Police since 2002 at present (2007).

Ben loved most writing poetry and playing guitar. Ben has wanted to do this since he was in high school. His writing skills caught the ear of a late University of the Philippines (UP) professor Ephraim C. Romero, handling courses in International Law, International Relations, International Organizations, Comparative Governments, Sociology, Economics and History courses. Ben can be seen as one of the researchers and the book cover designer of International Relations, a Philippine textbook in Political Science, Economics, Business, Sociology and Law authored by Romero, Prof. Edgar V. Rosero and Prof. Roman R. Dannug. The book was foreword by Jose David Lapuz, a 1971 T.O.Y.M. Awardees in Political Science.

Ben was a regular member of COPC, Cagayan de Oro Press Club. He was elected as one of the members of the board in 2006 and was re-elected in 2007. He was a regular member of the National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter and elected as auditor in 2006 - 2007. Ben was also a member of Pecojon, (Peace and Conflict Journalism Network).

Ben is now keep busy updating three on-line websites as the on-line team manager: the Cagayan de Oro Journal (http://cagayandeorojournal.blogspot.com/), the Jacnet, “Journalists against Corruption Network” (http://jacnet.blogspot.com/), the official website of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club and the Radical Urban Big Bikers (http://radicalurbanbigbikers.blogspot.com).
For Ben, being a provincial correspondent assigned in Mindanao made him a difference!

Statement of PECOJON
on the Arrest of Journalists
at The Peninsula Manila Hotel

In democracy, we, as journalists, cannot neglect our duty to keep the public informed about events and processes which concern the public interest.

Our duty does not diminish when we, as journalists, face dangerous or uncomfortable situations such as an upcoming engagement of PNP-SWAT operatives aiming to forcibly remove from The Peninsula Manila Hotel a group of soldiers and civilians who demand for the ouster of the President.

As eyes and ears of the public, it is our job to seek information from those inside the hotel as well as from the forces aiming to remove them. It is our task to keep the public informed about what is going on.

We, as media practitioners, are not supposed to join the parties of a conflict, neither by reporting in favor of any side nor by joining them handcuffed in arrest.

In behalf of our member journalists in the Philippines and around the world, PECOJON strongly questions the act of arresting media personnel in The Peninsula Manila Hotel on November 29, 2007. We remind those in charge that access to information and the freedom to report to the public is a pillar of democracy.

Legitimate journalists can be quickly and easily identified without arrest or “processing.” Harassment of journalists, questioning of press freedom and limiting public access to relevant information mean questioning democracy as such.PECOJON-The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network

*National Secretariat Philippineswww.pecojon. org
Nov. 30, 2007
Cagayan de Oro City

* PECOJON is an international network of journalists committed to improving the quality of reporting of conflict, crisis and war through mainstreaming conflict sensitive reporting, improving journalists’ security and providing training and education.

Moreno condemns botched coup bid

Statement of
Gov. Oscar S. Moreno
on the Magdalo Episode II (November 29, 2007)

Today’s actions of Sen. Antonio Trillanes and his Magdalo colleagues must be condemned for they directly strike at the heart of our constitutional order. These actions are despicable and have no place in our society. They are pure and simple anarchy.

We are a government of laws and not of men, and it is imperative and compelling that all of us must at all times uphold the rule of law. The actions of Sen. Trillanes and his Magdalo supporters actually disregard these fundamental principles that our people hold so dear.

Military adventurism not only directly contravenes our constitution; it also destroys our constitutional order, sets a very bad example to our people, conveys a wrong message to the international community, and sets back the hard-earned gains of our country.

It cannot be denied that people at times may encounter or face frustrating situations. All of us go through these moments. Yet, there are constitutional remedies. Some may take time, others may be difficult to many.

But certainly, there are remedies that our constitutional regime allows. Military adventurism can never be justified. Neither the gun nor popularity can provide the justification for a person or his cohorts to take the law in their own hands.

We fully support the constitutional authorities of our country, and the fundamental principle that civilian supremacy over the military must at all times exist.