I grieve for my country! It is supposed to be the bastion of Democracy in the Asia Pacific, yet it reached a 'bloody milestone' on February 23, 2009 when a journalist from Oroquieta City by the name of Ernesto Rolin became the 100th journalist murdered since 1986! Of these 100 victims, 64 were killed under the current administration - a mockery of the Arroyo government's empty claims of being a democracy.On May 3, 2009, we shall be celebrating World Press Freedom Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.
In the light of the unabated murders of journalists and broadcasters critical of the Arroyo's administration and her local lackeys, any Press Freedom Day activity falling short of exposing and condemning the culture of impunity now reigning in the country will only be a farce...a useless, meaningless show.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
It is only under Arroyo's administration, since the fall of the Marcos Dictatorship, that an attempt to muzzle the press nationwide happened when the government threatened to take over all press outfits during the State of Emergency declared in 2006. It is only under this administration that a large scale harassment of the press through multiple libel cases against 40 journalists (filed by the presidential spouse) transpired without a single word from the president. It is only under this administration that we see a large part of the local press cowed into submission through bribery, grave threats and/or court cases; while the more belligerent and truth-seeking journalists constantly risk being murdered or liquidated. It is only under this administration that the Philippines was declared the most dangerous place in the world for journalists next only to Iran.As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2009, we can only hope that the United Nations General Assembly will condemn the unabated killing of journalists and other disenters in the Philippines. This post is also a tribute to the fallen 100 journalists in the Philippines who were unwavering in their duty to deliver the information crucial to shaping the country's individual and collective future.
Today, let us remember the fallen 100:
Pete F. Mabazza,Manila Bulletin,1986 – April 24;Wilfredo “Willy” Vicoy,Reuters,1986 – April 24;Florante “Boy” de Castro,DXCP/General Santos City,1986-1987 (6);Dionisio Perpetuo Joaquin,Olongapo News,1987 – April 12;Narciso Balani,DXRA / Davao City,1987 – Aug. 27;Rogie Zagado, DXRA / Davao City, 1987 – Aug. 27;Leo Palo,DXRA / Davao City,1987 – Aug. 27;Martin Castor,Pilipino Ngayon,1987 – Aug. 28;Ramon Noblejas,DYVL/Tacloban City,1987 – Aug. 28,1988; Noel Miranda; Mindanao Scanner, 1988 – March 29;Ruben R. Manrique, Luzon Tribune/Bataan,1988 – Aug. 12;Josef Aldeguer Nava,Visayan Life Today/lloilo,1988 - 0ct. 301989 (2); Severino Arcones, DYFM-Radyo Bombo/ lloilo,1989 - 0ct. 17;Eddie Telan, Newscaster/Manila, 1989 – Dec. 0I,1990 (2); Reynaldo Catindig Sr., Northern Sierra Madre Express/Isabela, 1990 – May 15; Jean Ladringan, Southern Star/General Santos City, 1990 – July 08,1991 (1); Nesino Paulin Toling, Panguil Bay Monitor/ Ozamiz, 1991 – April 14,1992 (4); Danilo Vergara, Philippine Post, 1992 – July 01;Ladjid Ladja, Prensa Zamboanga, 1992 – JuIy 03;Rev. Greg Hapalla, DXAS/ Zamboanga, 1992 – Sep. 21;Gloria Martin, DXXX/ Isabela Basilan, 1992 – Dec. 30,1993 (3); Romeo Andrada Legaspi, Voice of Zambales, 1993 – Jan. 11; Rosauro Lao, Cotabato News, 1993 – Nov. 22; Ding Sade, Cotabato News, 1993 – Nov. 22 1994 (-) 1995 (-)1996 (2); Ferdinand Reyes, Press Freedom/Dipolog City, 1996 – Feb. 12;Alberto Berbon, DZMM / Manila, 1996 – Dec. 15,1997 (3); Evelyn Joy Militante, GMA Channel 2 / Legazpi City,1997;Daniel J. Hernandez, People’s Journal Tonight / Manila,1997 – June 03;Regalado Mabazza, Polaris cable network, 1997 – Dec. 17,1998 (4); Odilon Mallari, DXCP / General Santos City, 1998 – February;Rey Bancairin, DXLL / Zamboanga City, 1998 – March 29; Nelson Catipay, DXMY/ Cotabato, 1998 – April 16;Dominador “Dom” Bentulan, DXGS / General Santos City,1998 – Oct. 30
1999 (1); Frank Palma, Bombo Radyo / Bacolod, 1999 – April 25;2000 (2); Vincent Rodriguez, DZMM / Pampanga, 2000 – May 23;Olimpio Jalapit, DXPR / Pagadian City, 2000 – Nov. 17,2001 (4); Rolando Ureta, DYKR / Kalibo, Aklan, 2001 – Jan. 03;Muhammad Yusop, DXID / Pagadian City, 2001 – Feb. 24;Candelario Cayona, DXLL / Zamboanga City, 2001 – May 30;Joy Mortel, Mindoro Guardian, 2001 – May 31;2002 (3); Benjaline “Beng” Hernandez, CEGP / Davao, 2002 – April 05;Edgar Damalerio, DXKP, Zamboanga Scribe / Mindanao Gold Star, Pagadian City,2002 – May 13;Sonny Alcantara, Kokus / Celestron Cable TV,San Pablo City, 2002 – Aug. 22;2003 (7); John Belen Villanueva Jr., DZGB /Legazpi City, 2003 – April 28;Apolinario “Polly” Pobeda,DWTI / Lucena City 2003 – May 17; Bonifacio Gregorio, Dyaryo Banat / Tarlac, 2003 – July 8; Bonifacio Gregorio, Dyaryo Banat / Tarlac2003 – July 8; Rico Ramirez, DXSF/Butuan City, 2003 – Aug. 20;Juan “Jun” Pala, DXGO/Davao City
2003 – Sept. 6;Nelson Nadura, DYME/Masbate City, 2003 – Dec. 22004 (13); Rowel Endrinal, DZRC/Legazpi City, 2004 – Feb. 11;Elpidio “Ely” Binoya, Radyo Natin, General Santos City, 2004 – June 17;Roger Mariano, DZJC-Aksyon Radio/ Laoag, 2004 – July 31; Arnnel Manalo, DZRH/Bulgar/Batangas, 2004 – Aug. 5; Jonathan Abayon, RGMA Superadyo, General Santos City, 2004 – Aug. 8; Fernando Consignado, Radio Veritas / Laguna, 2004 - Aug. 12; Romy Binungcal, Remate / Bataan, 2004 - Sept. 29;Eldy Gabinales (Eldy Sablas), DXJR-FM / Tandag, Surigao del Sur, 2004 - Oct. 19;
City, 2006 - June 19; Macel Alave-Vigo, DXND Kidapawan City, 2006 - June 19; Armando Pace, Radyo Ukay dxDS Digos City, 2006 – July 18; Ralph Ruñez, RPN 9, NCR2006- July 28; Prudencio Melendrez, Saksi Ngayon, Metro Manila, 2006- July 31; Ponciano Grande, The Recorder and Nueva Ecija Times, 2006- December 7; Andres “Andy” Acosta, dzJC Aksyon Radyo Ilocos Norte, 2006- December 20,2007 (5); Hernani Pastolero, Lightning Courier Sultan Kudarat, 2007- February 19; Carmelo Palacios, Radyo ng Bayan Nueva Ecija 2007- April 18; Dodie Nuñez, Katapat Cavite, 2007- May 21; Vicente Sumalpong, Radyo ng Bayan Tawi-Tawi, 2007- June 25; Fernando “Batman” Lintuan, dxGO Aksyon Radyo 2007- December 24 2008 (7); Benefredo Y. Acabal, Pilipino Newsmen Cavite-Bulacan 2008- April 7; Marcos Mataro, UNTV 37 Manila 2008- April 27; Bert Sison
DZAT-AM Lucena City, 2008- July 1; Martin Roxas, RMN DYVR - Roxas City, Capiz, 2008- August 7; Dennis Cuesta, RMN DXMD - General Santos City, 2008- August 9; Arecio Pagrigao, Radio Natin - Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, 2008- November 17; Leo Luna Mila, Radio Natin - Northern Samar
2008- December 2,2009 (2); Badrodin Abas, dxCM - Radyo Ukay, 2009- January 21; Ernie Rollin, dxSY-AM - Oroquieta City,. Misamis Oriental, 2009- February 23
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That is so sad. It certainly does not sound like a democracy. Good luck with your cause, I hope you get astounding results.
ReplyDeletemy hubby used to be an editor in a local paper so i know how hard it is for them in the media to speak and stand up against horrible truths in the government.he was a hard-hitting journalist who had his own share of being gagged (subliminally?) and i'm so happy he's not with the media anymore.
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