Address "Bang! Bang!" not "wang-wang"

NAGPALABAS ng statement ang pamunuan ng National Press Club tungkol sa pagkamatay ni Jose Daguio, isang media practitioner, na binoga ng mga kamote hanggang sa matigok sa loob ng kanyang haybol sa Tabuk, Kalinga.

Sabi nga, 1st media na natigok sa administration ni P. Noy!

P.Noy must appoint adviser, form superbody to protect journalists and preserve press freedom

Barely a week after Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III formally took over as the country’s 15th president, another journalist was slain in the far north- the first official case of media killing under his watch.

Jose Daguio, 75, a veteran radio commentator, was shot dead while having dinner in his home with his family in Tabuk, Kalinga. Marlene Esparat was killed in the same fashion years ago when she was having her last supper with her kids. The killing of Daguio offers a grim reminder for all that regardless of who is in command, the killings will not stop unless someone does something seriously to end the hostilities.

The Arroyo administration failed miserably in this area.

We fervently hope for a safer working environment for journalists under P.Noy’s term, considering the fact that media plays a vital role as P.Noy’s vocal partner in the campaign against corruption.

Many, however, were disheartened when the president made little or no mention at all about the issue of media killings in his inaugural speech. Instead, the new president made a series of motherhood statements about “justice for all,” among others, and took to task law enforcers to rid the streets of “wang wang (siren)” users - a less daunting task.

We expect more from him who has the clearest mandate of the people if compared to his predecessors and who, as commander in chief of all the uniformed services, can send authorities running to promptly accomplish missions such as arresting journalist killers and their masterminds. Likewise, such a strong president can ensure swift justice for all victims and their families.

All he has to do is issue a specific order.

If the president wants to stamp out corruption in government, he must first address the senseless killing of journalists and keep members of the media safe at all times and under all circumstances. One journalist killed is equivalent to hundreds of corrupt officials condoned. Without the media, there will be no transparency and lack of transparency gives grafters more reason to lie, cheat and steal.

It is high time for P.Noy to appoint a Presidential Adviser on the Preservation of Press Freedom and Journalist Protection and to form a government-media-private sector “superbody” to end media killings. The president should give the super-body enough funds to operate, not only in terms of law enforcement but also in terms of prosecution.

The task force created by the Arroyo administration to solve media killings could not go far due to lack of funds and other resources such as proficient manpower.

In the case of Mr. Daguio, Philipine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa should discipline Kalinga provincial police director Supt. Virgilio Laya for immediately discounting the possibility that the killing was work-related. The police official claimed that Daguio “was no longer an active journalist.”

Such an irresponsible remark could endanger the lives of other “inactive” journalists.

 FEU Law Alumni Association

SALUDO at lubos na bumabati sa pangunguna ni Atty. Biyong, panggulo este mali pangulo pala ng FEULAA kay P. Noy sa talumpati nito noon June 30, sa Quirino Grandstand.

Sinabi ni Atty. Biyong sa mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, ang mga katagang lumabas sa bibig ni P. Noy ay hindi lang kahanga-hanga kundi ito ay isang marching order tungo sa tunay na pagbabago sa madlang people sa Philippines my Philippines.

Kuento ni Atty. Biyong sa mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, ang yumaong Pangulong Cory Aquino ay nag-aral din ng LAW sa FEU at ayon sa kanyang mga naging professor ay nakitaan ito ng pambihirang galing sa kanyang pag-aara.

Bida ni Atty. Biyong sa mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, malugod ang kanilang pagtanggap kay P. NOY dahil ito aniya ay sumasagisag ng kadakilaan ng kanyang mga parent.

Ika nga, congratulations P. NOY from FEUAA!