Hagedorn sues paper for linking him to Abu Sayyaf

Former Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn has filed an P11-million libel suit against Fr. Cirilo Nacorda and a reporter and the management of People’s Taliba, a member of the Journal Group of Publications, for publishing a story linking him to the bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

In his affidavit-complaint filed before the Puerto Princesa City Prosecutor’s Office last Friday, Hagedorn said the news article entitled "Hagedorn Kasabwat ng Abu Sayyaf — Nacorda" which came out on the front page of People’s Taliba last Sept. 14, not only besmirched his name but likewise endangered his and his family’s lives.

Named respondents in the case, aside from Nacorda, are Jester Manalastas, Taliba news reporter who wrote the story; Philip King, vice president and chief executive officer, Benjamin Defensor, vice chairman and group editor-in-chief; Teodoro Berbano, chairman of the board and publisher; and Philippine Journalists, Inc., owner, all of People’s Taliba.

The story quoted Nacorda as saying that Hagedorn, who was mistakenly described as a former governor of Palawan, has links with the Abu Sayyaf reportedly after seeing Hagedorn and Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar on television together in Malacañang during the last days of ousted President Joseph Estrada in office.

The story further stated that a few months after the duo were seen in Malacañang, the Abu Sayyaf raided the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan and took several hostages.

However, the same story acknowledged that Nacorda admitted he had no evidence to back up his suspicion of Hagedorn’s involvement with the Abu Sayyaf.

Hagedorn, former three-term Palawan mayor, said he does not know any Abu Sayyaf member, and that the story was published evidently to destroy his name and reputation without getting his side on the matter.

Hagedorn asked the courts to order the respondents to pay him P5 million in moral damages, P3 million in exemplary damages, P2 million in attorney’s fees and P1 million in litigation expenses.