Palawan reporter complains of threats

CMFR Philippines—A radio reporter has complained of threats by a police officer after the latter became the subject of reports of wrongdoing.

Lourdes Escaros-Paet, reporter for the radio station dyPR and the weekly community nenwspaper Bandillo ng Palawan, said police officer Antonio Magbanua aired his threats over radio station dyER on November 10, 11 and 13, 2006.  Paet is based in Puerto Princessa, Palawan, a province southwest of Manila.

In her letter to Magbanua’s superior, Director General Jesus Versoza of the Philippine National Police, Paet said Magbanua blamed her for his relief from the service.

Since early this year, Magbanua had been reported as being allegedly involved in human trafficking, specifically the abduction of minors for labor. He was also reported to be engaging in corruption and abuse of power.

Magbanua’s threats were reportedly aired over dyER, a radio station owned by Puerto Princessa Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

Paet said that when Magbanua received his relief order, he went to dyER and cast aspersions on her by questioning her “credibility as a professional media practitioner.”

Magbanua’s whereabouts are still unknown but Paet believes he is still in Puerto Princessa.

To protect herself, the radio journalist told CMFR, “As much as possible, I stay at the office and when I go out I see to it that I have a companion,” Paet said to CMFR.

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