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Friday, September 12, 2003
300 rally against media killings
By Ben O. Tesiorna
MEMBERS of the Davao media and militant groups numbering about 300 held an indignation march-rally Thursday morning to protest the killing of journalists in the line of duty.
Spearheaded by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), the march rally kicked off at the Rizal Park passing through Claveria Street, Palma Gil, Ponciano, Rizal, Anda and San Pedro Streets then back to Rizal Park.
Also joining the rally were members of the AFP-PNP Press Corps 11, staff members of radio and television stations, newspapers, Coalition Against Summary Executions (Case), Tambayan, AnakBayan and Karapatan.
This developed as the Davao City chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) condemned the murder of former councilor and broadcaster Juan Pala Jr. and other media persons.
"Stop killing the journalists" was the battle cry of the media practitioners while militant groups are crying for "justice for all the victims of summary executions".
The protesters wore black t-shirts and red armbands. There was also a candle lighting as names of the 42 Filipino journalists killed since 1986 were read aloud with a prayer offered for them.
Among those Dabawenyo journalists killed were Edgar Nagar, Narciso Balani, Rogie Zagado and Leo Palo of radio station dxRA in August 27, 1987 and of the late Jun Pala who was ambushed last September 6 while on his way home.
Carlos Conde, NUJP Davao coordinator, said the indignation rally proved that the Davao media is united in fighting the suppression of press freedom.
It was learned that simultaneous rallies were also held in Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo and Lucena. Last Wednesday, a rally was also held in Cagayan de Oro City by about 300 media practitioners.
"Pala's violent death is another clear manifestation of a breakdown in the rule of law -- when some misguided individuals took upon themselves the tasks of being the accuser, investigator, prosecutor, judge and executioner rolled into one," the IBP statement said.
Signed by Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, chapter president, the IBP Davao City "calls on the members of the media profession to be steadfast in their duty to inform the public and not to be cowed by the threats coming from undemocratic elements, who have chosen violence over the processes under our constitution and laws. It is this particular time that our country needs a more vigilant and informed citizenry."
(September 12, 2003 issue) |
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