Journalists denounce driver of PNP provincial chief

Two local journalists the other day denounced the harassment they suffered in the hands of a driver and security escort of Senior Superintendent Charles Calima, Negros PNP provincial director, for nearly sideswiping them inside the PNP headquarters compound.

The Nissan Frontier pickup which almost hit them was driven by P03 Reynaldo Reyes. The two journalists — Visayan Daily Star’s Gilbert Bayoran and RPN TV and Negros Daily Bulletin writer Anniel Calderon — said Reyes allegedly revved up the engine loudly for several seconds, then drove very fast and missed them by inches.

Calderon was with her son. Two policemen reportedly witnessed the incident, according to the two journalists.

What made it worse was that Bayoran and Calderon had just met with Calima and a broadcaster, who had been airing his sentiments regarding the allegedly questionable actuations of Calima, to patch up their differences.

Bayoran is the president of the Defense Press Corps.

Later, Calima told a local radio station that Reyes (his driver) was newly assigned to Negros and did not know either of the two journalists. He has no cause to scare them, he added.

In reply to Reyes’ claim that he did see him and Calderon and the latter’s boy, Bayoran said, "It is a scary thing to know that Calima’s driver cannot see people on the road when he is driving."

Calima was recently the subject of a series of text messages as well as bashing in broadcast media for his alleged free spending habits, his alleged links to gambling lords, for bringing in his men from his previous assignments, and his alleged "financial quota" imposition on police chiefs.

The Negros Press Club is expected to investigate the incident in depth. The thing is that both Bayoran and Calderon are among the most reputable journalists hereabouts. And they presented what happened to them to NPC president Primo Esleyer who said he will bring this matter to the attention of the NPC board.

Recently, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon’s attention was caught by the persistent reports about Calima’s actuations. He said these will be investigated and if Calima is found guilty, then it is time for him to go out.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao is expected to arrive here next week for an inspection of the local police. This incident will drop on his lap like a hot potato.

The Negros Daily Bulletin editorial pointed out that regulations inside PNP and AFP camps restrict the speed of organic vehicles except during emergencies. "This was a clear violation of the rule," it said, referring to the claim that the driver drove fast "as if he was traveling the highways, inside the police camp, despite the limited space."

The Visayan Daily Star came out with an explosive editorial, "Scaring the media." It cited the incident as reported by the two journalists.

It pointed out that "it is very hard for local media people to believe that the incident had nothing to do with the fact that Calima had lately been the object of criticisms from the press for various issues…"

It added: "These have been very fearsome days for journalists, who have seen many of their compatriots fall at the hands of supposed protectors of the people... The life of journalist nowadays is perilous enough without bringing into their midst officials who bolster their fears of being prevented from exercising their profession with the freedom they are entitled to."

Funny, but neither of the two had been involved in the Calima battering. And ironically, the two are covering the PNP and AFP beats and should be accorded protection by Calima. Yet, they were the very ones who nearly got killed by the PNP chief’s driver.

Rotarians Invade Bacolod

Lions normally roar when they invade a city. And Rotarians content themselves with sedate discussions of projects and programs.

Well, for Bacolodnons, the 2005 centennial district conference which kicked off yesterday was more than memorable. First, there were about a thousand delegates from all over District 3850 which comprises the Panay provinces and southwestern Mindanao.

Hee Hyung Chae, from South Korea, represented Rotary International president Glennne Estes Sr.

RI District Governor Victoria Annette Garcia was at the helm of the proceedings. She was accompanied by former governor Ramiro Garcia, also past vice mayor of Bacolod City.

Hee Hyung Chae’s keynote speech focused principally on volunteerism as the "magic of Rotary International." This was during the opening of the plenary session at the Bacolod Convention Plaza and Hotel yesterday.

"Living in a turbulent world it is necessary to believe in the importance of our aim — service above self — and to use our four-way test. Truth and honesty is reflected in real personal integrity," Estes’ message read.

He also accented the Rotary creed of Service, Volunteerism, Friendship and Internationalism.

He cited the aim of "Preserve Planet Earth," a three-year program intended to be a permanent program of Rotary International.

Bacolod was bursting at the seams with Rotarians from as far as Sulu, Basilan and the Zamboanga provinces. Close on the heels of the Negros Occidental High School alumni homecoming, it’s truly a welcome development for the Bacolod tourism industry.

Fast-track DOJ probe — Marañon

The other day, Gov. Marañon expressed hopes that the Department of Justice would act fast on its investigation of three Bacolod prosecutors made to go on leave.

Marañon was referring to the order of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for Bacolod City prosecutor Augustus Rallos, first assistant prosecutor Jesus Ocdinaria and third assistant prosecutor Ronald Yngzon to go on a 30-day voluntary leave of absence pending the outcome of the investigation into a complaint filed by three of their colleagues for alleged mishandling of drug cases.

The administrative complaint was filed by Bacolod City prosecutor Eduardo Sayson and assistant city prosecutors Abraham Bayona and Rosanna Saril-Toledano against Rallos and Ocdinaria for alleged "serious irregularities and abuse of authority and quasi-judicial discretion."

Rallos said he learned about Gonzales order on Thursday and that he was ready to go on leave. He also said he is prepared to answer the allegations against him.

Yngzon, the other hand, claimed that he was not even included in the complaint. He expressed the belief that it is because he prosecutes drug cases and Gonzales simply wants to investigate the handling of those drug cases by the prosecutor’s office.

This is the talk of the town. And lawyers, prosecutors and judges have often been seen in huddles over it. Well, vamos a ver.

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ADDENDA. Chito Beltran and the ANC television crew are popularizing the La Carlota Pasalamat Festival nationwide as well as abroad. And also the cockbreeding farms of La Carlota... The most serious development. If you recall, I wrote last week about the complaint of 426 PNP Scout Ranger trainees about the alleged collection of thousands of pesos for projects and activities that were never held. Well, it seems that Inspector Serra remains missing. Senior Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Western Visayas deputy regional director, said Serra has been asked to submit an explanation, "but until now, we have not received his affidavit." Well, Serra better appear with his explanation of the incident or be declared AWOL and be kicked out of the PNP within 30 days... The major story circulating in Iloilo is about the threat of Rep. Arthur Defensor, chairman of the House good government committee, to cite Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada for contempt for allegedly casting aspersions against him. Mejorada, however, reportedly remains unfazed. The provincial official charged that members of the committee, who are investigating Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas, "should investigate themselves first before investigating others." He was reportedly referring to Reps. Janet Garin (first district), Rolex Suplico (fifth district), Ferjenel Biron (fourth district) and Defensor (fifth district). Mejorada, in an interview with Panay News, dared Defensor to carry out his threat to cite him for contempt. Well, that’s a challenge that Defensor may not take lying down. Watch out for the political fireworks when that happens.