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Saturday, November 08, 2003
Arroyo to give P1M as reward for resolution of murders of mediamen in RP
* Orders Ebdane to move faster in probing killing of journalists
PRESIDENT Arroyo Friday committed a P1 million reward for each of the killing of mediamen in the past five years to fast-track the resolution of the murder cases.
Arroyo, in a speech during the 29th Top Level Management Conference at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, also ordered PNP Chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to work for the immediate resolution of the unsolved cases.
"Before I came here I talked to Jun Ebdane and talked about instructions on thwarting any destabilization attempt before they start, but also on following up what we have agreed about the task force to resolve the crime against the members of journalism. I told him I would like the PNP to move faster and more resolutely in the investigation," she said.
The President also directed police officials in Zambonga del Sur to expedite efforts to recapture PO1 Guillermo Waspile, who was tagged in the killing of journalist Edgar Damalerio in 2002.
Waspile reportedly escaped last January before he was convicted and sentenced by the court for Damalerio's killing.
Records from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility showed that 59 journalists in the country have been killed since 1961 and 42 of them murdered after 1986.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in a separate report, showed that the Philippines ranks high with Colombia in the number of journalists killed this year with six murder cases each.
The most recent killing of a mediaman in the country was last Sept. 6 in Davao City involving broadcaster Jun Porras Pala.
Arroyo also directed Marita Jimenez, presidential adviser on official development assistance, to look for resources to fund a KBP training program to help broadcasters understand terrorism and the Mindanao conflict better.
She also ordered National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) commissioner Armijane Borje to temporarily stop the issuance of licenses to operate low power broadcast stations in the provinces pending the approval of rules and regulations governing them. ST
(November 8, 2003 issue)
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