Thursday, May 18, 2006
Catholic-run station receives death threat
By Jeff M. Tupas
A CATHOLIC-run radio station in Kidapawan City received a package that contained what turned out to be a death threat Tuesday afternoon.
The package was addressed to supporters of the communist movement.
In a text message, a senior reporter of the station said, "please alert everyone we know that we just received a death threat."
This is not the first time that the station, an affiliate of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, received threats like this.
In 2004, a bomb was also discovered inside the compound of the station. It's sister station DxMS in Cotabato city also received several threats the past years.
The package, sent through the courier company JRS express, contained a manila paper printed with red ink "Kamatayon sa nagsuporta sa CPP/NPA/NDF! Alsang Masa! (Death for the supporters of the CPP/NPA/NDF!)."
The package arrived a few hours after a reporter interviewed Kelly Delgado, Karapatan-Southern Mindanao spokesperson about the result of the fact-finding mission they conducted on the explosion that almost caused the lives of two militant leaders in Kidapawan on May 7.
In the radio interview, Delgado claimed there are indications the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion based in Makilala town was behind the grenade attack, which injured Jobanie Tacadao, spokesperson of Bayan-North Cotabato, and Roderick Abalde of Anakpawis.
A trace made by officials of the station showed that one Henry Laot of Matina, Davao City, sent the package. Reports said Laot is formerly a member of the NPA.
Kidapawan City police chief Danny Reyes immediately ordered an investigation.
Police will also look into the possibility that that mail was not actually sent from Davao City but from Kidapawan.
The station is known for its advocacy for the poor especially on issues about peace and human rights. It has also openly criticized public officials, including the military and police, for there alleged abuses.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 18, 2006 issue)
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