Radio anchors trade accusations

CEBU, Philippines - A radio anchor who hosts the program “Tommy O ug ang Barangay” over radio dyLA accused her fellow broadcaster of oral defamation.

Nanette Garong, 40, a blocktimer, also accused a barangay tanod and driver of Ermita Barangay Captain Felisicimo Rupinta of threatening her.

Garong, who reported the incident to the Waterfront Police Station, said the incidents happened yesterday inside the station.

She said while she was on board her radio program, Arnold Timtim  threatened her by saying, “Basa lang baba nimo! Bantay lang ka sa sikong!”

Later that day, Garong accused blocktimer Chit Beltran Ortiz of oral defamation for allegedly calling her a thief.

“Kaila ko nimo. SK ka! Kawatan ka,” Garong quoted Ortiz as saying.

But Ortiz who anchors a non-government organization program “Suknaan ni Juan” denied Garong’s claims.

Ortiz said it was Garong who threatened her and Rupinta, Timtim and her fellow anchors, Richard Alfajera and Arnold Ybañez, were her  witnesses.

Ortiz also said she did not hear Timtim threatened Garong.

Ortiz alleged that while her program was on going with Rupinta as her guest, Garong was very noisy in the technician’s booth and kept on using the phone which they will use for their phone-in guests.

Ortiz also alleged that after the program, about 10 men wearing Type O and Bandon Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan shirts arrived with Garong at the station.

“Na-shock nalang mi giatangan nami og mga laki,” she said.

Ortiz said their program is non-partisan and having Rupinta as guest does not mean they are for Team Rama.

“NGO mi, urban poor. Dili mi Team Rama. Lisensiyado mi mga broadcaster,” Ortiz said.

— (FREEMAN)