LETTERS

Gun attack on Abra journalist condemned

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns the attack early in the morning of May 14 on journalist Marjorie Bandayrel-Trinidad, staff reporter of Abra Today, by unidentified gunmen who fired at her house in Bangued, Abra, apparently in retaliation for an editorial she wrote criticizing the purchase of vehicles for officers of the Abra Electric Coop.

It is fortunate that Ms Trinidad, her husband and two-year old boy were not hurt in the attack. Reports received by colleagues from Ms. Trinidad make clear that she was the target of the attack. Ms Trinidad’s husband was awakened by the sound of shattering glass as the bullets hit their bedroom window.

Reports indicate that the Trinidad residence was hit three times and a Cal.45 slug was recovered from the couple’s bed. NUJP has received information that the family has gone into hiding while the incident is being investigated.

Colleagues in northern Luzon also report that, a day before the attack, Ms Trinidad received a warning to be careful because the editorial she wrote, which was published in the May 3 edition of her paper, had angered some quarters.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Abra provincial police for their quick action in providing protection for Ms Trinidad and her family. We would also like to thank Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian for immediately issuing a statement of condemnation against the attack.

We have been informed that the general manager of ABRECO has approached Ms Trinidad to deny any involvement in the attack on her. Although Abra has earner notoriety for the culture of violence that has been the bane of its politics, this is the first time that a journalist has been targeted.

It is no secret that many, if not all, people of influence in Abra maintain private armies. It is therefore not farfetched for us to fear that the attack on Ms Trinidad may not be the last.

Therefore, while thankful for the protection the police are providing Ms Trinidad and her family, we call on Abra provincial director Senior Supt. Charlo Collado, to order his men to act swiftly to identify, arrest and prosecute not just the shooters but, more importantly, the mastermind as well.

This latest attack on a journalist whose only fault is to practice her profession is clear proof of government’s failure to bring to an end the culture of impunity that has emboldened those who wish to muzzle the independent Philippine press.

Since 1986, this culture of impunity has cost us the lives of 100 colleagues, 64 of them murdered under the Arroyo administration alone, the worst death toll under any sitting president. Should any harm befall Ms Trinidad and her family, the blame should clearly be on this government because of its failure to end once and for all the killing of journalists.

Nonoy Espina
Vice Chair
National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP)


MP Gov protests Candy’s slur

Let it be known that in our collective effort to preserve our unique culture and Igorot identity as civilized ethnic tribe of Mountain Province, we join all other Igorots in all other provinces and all over the world in protesting against Ma. Carmela Espiritu ‘Candy’ Pangilinan’s thoughtless punch lines “Tao po ako, hindi po ako Igorot” during the pre-Mother’s Day Show at SM Baguio City on May 9.

Since it was a supposed stand-up comedienne show, the punch line was more of an expression of intended parody and mockery. To most, such statement is a racial murder that had caused uproar in the internet and all other media forms. We do agree that when Carlos P. Romulo said that Igorots are not Filipinos, at least it was the citizenship stripped off but in Candy’s statement, the Igorots are being stripped off from humanity.

We, the Igorots of Mountain Province were shocked knowing that in this modern world, there is one among the educated professional in the field of showbiz like Candy, who does not know who the people are in her own country. What a pity to the misguided and deficient Candy.

It is for this reason we are inviting Candy to Igorotland to see the Igorots whom she stripped off from humanity. This time Candy might be shocked to see ‘angels’ up in the mountains who are the Igorots in their human best and not as beasts as she thought. May Candy visit us anytime but preferably on April 6-7, 2010 during the culminating activities of the Lang-ay Festival, which is a big event we look forward too. It is a cultural celebration showcasing the best in our tangible and intangible cultures as Igorots. As usual are ethnic dances, theatrical comedy shows and songs in costumes.

Candy may have apologized already to the Igorots for such ethnic slur that brutally insulted us but this we are writing to remind her again and again the need to be more cautious and to exercise self-restraint. May Kabunyan bless her soul. May she learn her own lessons from such ethnic blunder and instead be a mother who show love to humanity.

Maximo B. Dalog
Provincial Governor
Mountain Province


Rebel soldier on Senate run

I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord has all the while been preparing me for public service. I was left for dead in 1989, and He allowed me to spring back to life. I have been imprisoned as a soldier, but I fully regained the honor and right to wear a soldier’s uniform after having been awarded the Medal of Valor in 2001. As my military career was very much back on track, I was again challenged to choose between right and wrong, between honor and injustice, between good and evil.

Even as we all work for a vibrant and prosperous Philippines, my dream is for every Filipino to enjoy the essence of freedom from poverty, fear, and injustice, to feel the tangible benefits of good governance, and to live comfortably in a society that fosters the unity of the family, protects human rights, and upholds the dignity of all.

I have not had an easy life. My life story has been replete with vivid encounters with injustice poverty, corruption, and war. These painful experiences have shaped this dream. I never succumbed to the lure of material wealth. The physical, mental, and emotional hardships have been painful, but I never sold my soul.

I am fully aware that some people would insist that men in uniform should stay away from politics; that we would serve best our nation if we were fighting wars in Mindanao; that we have no business in meddling with the affairs of the state as we have been formed and trained in the rudiments of war, and not in the civil service, much less in politics. I agree but that assumes that the people who have been entrusted with the public trust have been sincere, honest, and have been true to their pledges.

As a young soldier, armed with idealism and the fire of youth, I have offered my life to defend this country from all its enemies. I have suffered long and hard for the principles that I hold dearly. Many of my loved ones have suffered with me – maybe not physically, but certainly have shared in the misery and hardships that I have endured. The fire of idealism still burns in me, but I have been wiser not to engage fire with fire.

With a lot of circumspection, I have decided to run for the senate in 2010. I have no political pedigree. I have no political machinery. I have no financial resources. But I do have honor. I do have principles. I do have courage.

I believe I am ready to take on this new role, with your prayers and support this dream is not too far- fetched. It takes the collective effort of every member of this society to make things improve for a country in disarray... a country that has been plundered... a country whose hope is running dry...

All I can do, on my end, is to make the best effort possible to make society better, stand by my principles, and fight for what is right. There is hope for this country and our people, all we have to do is believe.

This I will do, if not for myself and our generation, then at least for our young children and their children. My warmest personal regards and God bless us all. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Sincerely yours,

Ariel O. Querubin
Email: querubinariel@yahoo.com