Broadcaster fakes abduction to escape death threats

CMFR/Philippines – A broadcaster allegedly staged her own abduction last 12 May 2013 to preempt her getting killed.

Broadcaster Melinda Jennifer Glefonea was reported missing by her co-anchor Michelle Regondola a day before the 2013 Philippine midterm elections. Regondola told colleagues that two armed men forcibly took Glefonea from a restaurant in Candelaria, Quezon in the early morning of 12 May. A CCTV camera caught the incident on tape.

Hours after the “abduction”, police were able to arrest one of the men seen on video forcing Glefonea into a vehicle without a license plate. During interrogation, the supposed abductor told police that the “abduction” was merely a drama planned by Glefonea herself.

In a phone interview with CMFR last 14 May 2013, Regondola confirmed that Glefonea had admitted staging her own abduction supposedly to preempt being killed by unknown people who had been  sending her death threats. Regondola said Glefonea had been receiving threats asking her to stop broadcasting and criticizing local officials in Candelaria. Candelaria is a town approximately 89 kilometers east of Manila.

Glefonea and Regondola host a public affairs program, Apat Dapat, over Edge Radio 103.1 FM. The tandem have been criticizing illegal activities by local government and police officials in the town of Candelaria.

Glefonea and Regondola are “blocktimers.”  In the Philippines, broadcasting networks allow individuals or groups to buy blocks of time to air their own program. Blocktimers usually look for sponsors to support their programs.

Ronilo Dagos of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines in Quezon said that Glefonea said she would not reveal where she is unless police provide her security.  The police, meanwhile, allegedly warned Glefonea that she can face charges of “alarms and scandal” for staging her own abduction.  The supposed abductors will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and/or violation of the gun ban.

CMFR has yet to speak with Glefonea. Regondola said that their blocktime radio program has also been suspended indefinitely due to the incident.