Transmitters tampered as ordered: 3 Bantay Radyo facilities simultaneously go off air

CEBU, Philippines - The three radio stations under El Nuevo Bantay Radyo simultaneously went off air at past midnight yesterday allegedly after the owner of the radio network ordered the tampering of the transmitters.

As per order of Sarraga Integrating and Management (SIAM) Broadcasting Network, the exciters of the radios stations’ transmitters were taken down, causing it to suddenly stop broadcasting.

This happened the same day that the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City restrained the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative, Inc. from taking over the management and operations of Bantay Radyo facilities.

Last Friday, RTC Branch 9 Presiding Judge Alexander Acosta granted the temporary restraining order sought by Cebu Provincial Board Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero, the president of PAFI Foundation, Inc., which is currently operating the radio stations.

Busay barangay captain and veteran broadcaster Yody Sanchez, Bantay Radyo’s vice president for operations, said the exciter is the “heart” of the transmitter and without it they could not broadcast on air.

Sanchez, in a phone interview with The FREEMAN, disclosed that three groups of four persons stormed the transmitters of radio stations dyDD in Inayawan, Cebu City, dyHH in Bogo City, and dyZZ in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

The groups then simultaneously took the exciters of the transmitters and each fled on a van.Two for each group were believed to be armed with guns.

“Sa (Barangay) Hibaiyo (Guihulngan), ang supervisor ato nga duty at that time niingon nga dunay duha nisulod sa transmitter, ang duha naa sa gawas nga ilang gituohan nga mora’g naa’y armas. Sa Bogo, mao-mao sad, naa’y sakyanan dala,” said Sanchez.

He said SIAM vice-president for technical Arlene Jimenez confirmed to him through phone conversation that they took the exciters as ordered by their president, Francisco Sarraga.

Sanchez said SIAM’s move is a blatant disregard of the rule of law since a TRO has been issued by the RTC.

He added that they are consulting their lawyers to study the situation whether or not they could file a complaint in court.

The controversy stemmed after Sanchez-Zaballero received a notice from SIAM telling that CFI has been awarded by the network to operate and manage the stations starting August 1, yesterday.

However, PAFI filed a civil case against SIAM and CFI.

Acosta issued a TRO upon PAFI’s motion and set the hearing on the preliminary injunction for August 5 and another hearing for August 7.  (FREEMAN)