Probe Team probed

Claiming that an interview of a fugitive soldier could be tantamount to sedition, Department of Justice ordered a probe on a television documentary program last 21 April.

The interview with 1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento was conducted by ABS-CBN’s The Probe Team last month as part of a comprehensive report on the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny case. The government’s side was also included in the said report.

Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has been requesting ABS-CBN to give them a copy of the controversial episode even as Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate Probe host Cheche Lazaro and ABS-CBN for a possible inciting to sedition charge.

“The interview with Lt. Sarmiento where clearly seditious statements were discussed… may indicate that Ms. Lazaro may have encouraged the rebel soldiers to pursue their illegal activities against the government,” Gonzalez said.

He added that Sarmiento might have used his interview with ABS-CBN to propagate their causes, incite the people to rebellion, and overthrow the Arroyo administration. “There’s a thin line between the freedom of the press and the press being used to propagate the cause of rebellion.”

In the interview, Sarmiento warned the government that it should expect further opposition from within the military in the coming days. “We are coming out to show the public (that) we, junior officers, are still here and we cannot be bought off,” Sarmiento said. “We are still continuing our fight.”

Meanwhile, Probe Team opposed Secretary Gonzalez’s allegations saying that they reported legitimate news and added that there was nothing seditious about their interview. “Lahat ng Pilipino ay may karapatan na magpahayag ng kanilang paniniwala at kontra doon sa sinabi ni Secretary Gonzalez, hindi namin hinimok at hindi namin hinihimok ang mga sundalong ito na mag-alsa sa ating gobyerno (Every Filipino has a right to express their beliefs and contrary to what Secretary Gonzalez said, we do not urge them and we have never urged them to rebel against the government),” explained Probe Team’s host, Cheche Lazaro.

Lazaro said Probe Team tried to get the side of military officers and the government, but only National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez agreed to an interview.

Probe Team explained, “On advise of counsel, The Probe Team has refused and will continue to refuse to follow the NTC’s uncalled for order.” They maintained that NTC “has no power, authority or jurisdiction to impose prior restraint and subsequent punishment on content-based expression such as the broadcasts of The Probe Team.”

ABS-CBN News said in a statement last 25 April that it is their responsibility to provide the public with complete and accurate information. Maria Ressa, ABS-CBN News Chief, maintained that they never allowed the rebel soldiers to air seditious statements. “ABS-CBN will continue to fight for a responsible but free and fearless press, and defend every Filipino’s right to know the truth.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. cautioned Secretary Gonzalez against investigating broadcast journalist Lazaro for showing an interview with Sarmiento. “In a democratic country, the balance is always tilted in favor of liberalism, meaning to say (we should) allow TV shows and media exposures on what is happening, provided that the media outlet concerned is not being used really to disseminate the propaganda of the other side.”

Last 17 January, Sarmiento and three more junior officers escaped from their detention cell at the Fort Bonifacio in Makati City. The other mutineers who escaped were Captain Nathaniel Rabonza, Army First Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan and Patricio Bumindang Jr.###

Comments are closed.