“EXPOSE the truth.”
This was the message of Major General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Capiz, to the members of the media in Negros Occidental during the media fellowship held at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City on Friday, February 8.
Dolina said journalism plays a vital role in society.
“If it is used properly, it can bring positive results for the development of our country,” he added.
Dolina believed that the very purpose of the media is to expose the truth, and to shed light about what happened.
“I believe that attitude never compromises the necessity to really expose what's the truth and not a coated truth,” he said.
As a Fourth Estate, media can influence masses and can contribute to peace and order, he said.
Dolina said the enemies are aggressive nowadays in social media that's why he ordered all commanders to engage with the media and be open to them. “Are we going to wait another 50 years to address the insurgency in the country?” he said.
It is now very revealing that insurgency is a hindrance to our environment, he said.
Help us expose what is really on insurgency, he told the press.
“Yung totoo lang po, hinihingi namin na ikuwento niyo (Report the truth, that is all we ask for). That is the only way for people to know what is really happening and also to give justice to the victims,” Dolina said.
Dolina thanked the media for helping and collaborating with them.
“I'm sure, we will have a way in achieving the peace that belongs to each and everyone of us,” he said.
Dolina will be retiring from the service in November this year. He was assigned in Panay Island in December 2017.
As a response, incoming Negros Press Club president Chrysee Samillano and outgoing president Renato Duran expressed their support to the military's call to stand with the truth and to establish a harmonious relationship with each other. (GYM)