2 Cebu radiomen ignore pleas to save man’s life

CEBU CITY — Between covering the news and saving a life, the latter became a less important option for two radio personnel the other day.

A reporter and driver of Bombo Radyo Philippines, who covered a stabbing incident at the port area Saturday, may face possible sanctions from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas for allegedly ignoring pleas to bring the victim to a hospital first and report the crime later.

Vendors at Pier 5 said Bombo reporter Bert Palang, accompanied by his driver, Bertoldo Sinoy, refused to take a dying Elgin Valiente to the nearest hospital using the radio station’s vehicle.

Witnesses said Valiente, at that time, was still gasping for breath.

Valiente, 25, was reportedly stabbed in the chest by a neighbor at his temporary residence at Gothong Lines in Sitio Wakwak at 12:55 p.m.

Although seriously wounded, he managed to escape from his attacker by climbing aboard M/V Our Lady Of Fatima which was docked at Pier 5.

It was about this time when Palang and Sinoy arrived at the port area supposedly to report about a woman’s body which was fished out of the water off Pier 5.

Vendor Merly Lambino said the passengers were more than pleased to see the arrival of the Bombo Radyo vehicle so Valiente could finally be brought to a hospital.

But instead of helping the victim, Lambino said Palang went on to report the incident live on air.

Lambino said many passengers, fuming mad over the alleged indifference of the two radio personnel, began shouting and cursing at them. In spite of the people’s prodding, they allegedly refused to take Valiente to the hospital.

Several times, Lambino said passengers, kibitzers and the ship’s crew pleaded with the two men to save the victim’s life first but their request fell on deaf ears.

At one point, Palang, Lambino said, consulted his driver on the matter but Sinoy allegedly turned his head in disapproval.

Valiente died 30 minutes after he hid inside the vessel.

Palang, for his part, said it was already too late to bring Valiente to a hospital. Besides, he said the maritime police were already on their way to the pier.

KBP head Cynthia Barte said they will look into the incident which, she added, puts into question the media’s role in society.

"Even as a person, it is our responsibility to help, much more if we are broadcasters. We have a duty and responsibility beyond our profession, which is social responsibility," Barte said.

"Although they cannot be criminally charged because they are not the cause of (Valiente’s) death, they could still be held civilly liable," said Barte, a lawyer. — Freeman News Service