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Sunday, April 24, 2005
Broadcasters trading barbs on air
By Ben Serrano
BUTUAN CITY -- Friends before enemies now. This is how one describes the relationship by some broadcasters here as they started to accuse each other in public of allegedly getting "easy money" from politicians, illegal loggers, drugs and illegal gambling operators.
But an independent watch group here observed that such actuations of the broadcast media only reflects the kind of society Caraga Region has and the country in general, where votes are easily sold and cheating occurs right at voting precincts.
The melee on air started when another group of broadcasters sided with beleaguered Butuan Mayor Democrito "Boy Daku" Plaza, II after DXBC Radio Station Manager John Dangga criticized City Hall of being "ineffective, allegedly corrupt and insensitive" to the needs of city residents.
Dangga is program host of public affairs program "Koskos Batikos" aired every morning.
Former Dangga sidekick friend and DXBC broadcaster Lito Ucab in turn accused the radio station manager of acquiring wealth allegedly coming from protectors of gambling, illegal logging and illegal drugs.
Ucab is now employee of the Butuan City Public Information Office.
(Masiao tips)
Like Dangga, a Misamis Oriental native, Ucab in his radio program aired over local radio station DXJM Tuesday morning questioned Dangga's many vehicles allegedly acquired through protecting illegal activities in the city.
Ucab in Visayan alleged that Dangga received a "white envelope" containing money aside from "pabaon kambing" from alleged big time video karera operator Henry Tan during his birthday bash the other week.
Tan, a millionaire fish broker is operating one of the biggest fish broker businesses in the cities of Butuan, Pagadian and Cagayan de Oro. Rumors allege Tan is a Philippine National People (PNP) member aside from being businessman.
Dangga was also rumored to have received a multi-cab from certain masiao operator Boy Tae.
But Dangga denied Ucab's accusation saying he has investments at various banks here saying that unlike some broadcasters who wasted money easily, he saved money for himself earning from legitimate sources. He however refused to detail what sources he is referring to.
Dangga on the other hand accused Ucab to have allegedly received P20,000 from Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II as bail bond for Ucab's libel case filed against Ucab by the wife of one Butuan City architect charged with rape last year.
Ucab like Dangga posted bail for their libel cases when they worked together once. Ucab is allegedly giving masiao tips in his radio program that he supposedly dubbed as "Hong-Hong."
But Dangga claimed that Ucab is allegedly a paid hack of Mayor Plaza who sponsored and paid the radio program of Lito Ucab, a Butuan City Government employee.
Dangga claimed his tirade against the local administration is based on public clamor to change the governance style of the mayor and other government agencies that he accused of being unresponsive to the needs of the growing number of poor people in the region.
Another self proclaimed broadcaster, Manny Estevez who is paying a radio program at DXJM also criticized Dangga for allegedly not lifting a finger against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the PNP for their alleged participation in illegal logging and gambling activities in the region.
(April 24, 2005 issue)
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