Crisis: National

Palawan broadcaster shot dead
Radio journalist Fernando “Dong” Batul was killed early morning of May 22 about 200 meters away from radio station dyPR where he worked in Puerto Princesa City.

The unidentified gunmen immediately fled aboard a blue motorcycle. Batul was taken to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

According to Palawan provincial police chief Elpidio de Asis, the gunmen opened fire using 9-mm and .45 cal. pistols, hitting Batul 12 times.

Two days after Batul’s death, the Philippine National Police apprehended policeman Aaron Golifardo after four witnesses identified him as the broadcaster’s triggerman.

Batul, 34, was a popular hard-hitting radio commentator in the Palawan Broadcasting Corp.-owned dyPR where he had his early morning program, Bastonero.

Although the motive for the killing has yet to be established, de Asis said Batul had made many enemies in his radio program.

Batul was known to be a severe critic of Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn. Besides criticizing local govern-ment officials, he has interviewed members of the New People’s Army.

Although confirming that Batul had been his critic, Hagedorn immediately denied involvement in the murder.  Several years ago, the mayor filed several libel cases against Batul when the radio announcer was still with RGMA Super Radyo.

A former vice mayor of Puerto Princesa, Batul’s term was cut short by one year in 2003 after an electoral protest ruled in favor of his rival, Lucilo Bayron. He ran again in 2004 but lost to incumbent Bayron.

Batul had initially raised an alarm last April 24 after disco-vering two grenades inside his house. Local police were able to detonate the bombs. A death threat penned in red ink was also found in front of Batul’s resi-dence, warning the broadcaster to “hold his tongue” or his family would “suffer harsh conse-quences.”

Tribune raid illegal—SC
The Supreme Court has declared the raid of a daily newspaper and the government’s pressure on media as illegal and constituting “plain censorship.”

In a 78-page decision penned by Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez, the high court declared Presidential Proclamation (PP) 1017 constitutional in so far as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s declaration of a state of national emergency and calling the Armed Forces to prevent acts of lawless violence, invasion, and rebellion are concerned.

The court likewise upheld as constitutional General Order (GO) No. 5 ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to implement PP 1017.

However, it ruled as illegal a clause in PP 1017 and GO 5 where the Arroyo government gave itself authority to issue decrees, including the raiding or takeover of privately owned media.

The court also declared unconstitutional the ordering of security forces to implement arrests without warrants, the crackdown on street protests, the imposition of “standards” on media outlets, and any restraint on the press and civil liberties.

In its resolution, the high court cited Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution, which states that the President, in the absence of legislation, cannot take over privately owned public utilities and private businesses affected with public interest.

The Arroyo administration, through the National Telecom-munications Commission, had threatened to take over radio and television stations and revoke their franchises if found airing “subversive” messages.

Photojournalist killed in Metro Manila
Albert Orsolino, 43, a photojournalist working for the Manila-based tabloid Saksi Ngayon, died from a gunshot wound after two unidentified men shot at his car several times at close range, on May 16 in Caloocan City.

Police said Orsolino was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. The motorcycle-riding assailants immediately fled aboard an auxiliary utility vehicle. The AUV was later found abandoned in Caloocan City.

Orsolino, who recently covered Malacañang, was president of the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela areas) Press Corps and member of the local council.

Time correspondent on watch list
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the Bureau of Immigration recently to put on its watch list Time magazine correspondent Nelly Sindayen to prevent her from leaving the country.

Sindayen had reported on an alleged plan of military and civilian personalities to with-draw support from and topple the Arroyo administration.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the Bureau of Immigration to put Sindayen on its watch list in case she decides to leave the country to avoid an investigation.

“She won’t be arrested, but she must cooperate. We’re not asking for anything except the truth,” said Gonzalez.

In the Time article last March 6, Bryan Walsh wrote that Sindayen was invited to witness a meeting of “more than a dozen middle-level officials and busi-nessmen” planning to withdraw their support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

The group supposedly inclu-ded businessman Pastor “Boy” Saycon and former Tarlac congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

Prior to the DOJ order, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)  had already invited Saycon, Cojuangco and Sindayen for questioning. Both Saycon and Cojuangco have denied the magazine’s report, insisting that the alleged meeting never took place.

However, Sindayen submit-ted a letter to the NBI saying that she stands by her story.

Laguna journalist beaten up
Iring Maranan, a TV host and tabloid columnist in Laguna, was allegedly assaulted by San Pablo City Councilor Edgardo Adajar while covering the regular session of the city council.

According to Maranan, the incident was caught on video and witnessed by about a hundred people, including other San Pablo-based journalists.

Maranan reported the incident to the police. He said he already had a medical checkup and is considering filing charges against Adajar.

Broadcaster in critical condition
Paul Manaog, a radio journalist of local radio station dwLL, remained in critical condition after being shot while walking with his wife, Rowena, along Magsaysay Avenue in Naga City on May 6.

Manaog is president of the Camarines Sur Capitol Press Association. The radio station is owned by the family of Rep. Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sur.

Investigation showed that the victim was approached by five unidentified men who shot him with 9-mm pistols.

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