Media Groups Demand Probe of Alleged Military ‘Hit List’

Is there a military hit list on the press? The report, which media groups have asked government to investigate, came out in the wake of the recent killing of two more journalists and media protests. Police denied receiving any report about the hit list.

By Karl Ombion
Bulatlat

BACOLOD CITY – Is there a military hit list on the press?

This question has surfaced as members of various media organizations led by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) took to the streets Nov. 17 to condemn the spate of killings against the press. Protest marches and rallies joined by hundreds of journalists from the tri-media were held in Manila, Davao, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Baguio, Lucena and other cities.

Reports of the existence of a “military hit list” targeting at least two journalists in each province came out last week. NUJP leaders headed by President Inday Espina Varona, editor of Philippine Graphic, and provincial press leaders asked government particularly the Philippine National Police’s Task Force Newsman to investigate the reports.

In a media protest rally here on Wednesday, Bombo reporter Rhey Siazon announced that he has received “reliable information” from intelligence sources about a “grand plan” to assassinate journalists in every province.

At least two journalists in every province are marked for liquidation, Siazon said, and the next victims could be broadcasters in Bacolod. He said however that his source gave no details on the names of particularly targets, when and how the operations would be carried out.

Negros police intelligence authorities denied receiving similar reports. They however assured local journalists about police protection and investigation to give justice to the victims of media repression.

Psywar tactic

Some reporters, like Jef Gelangre of Liga Journalista, said the “hit list” could just be a psywar tactic of the military to force some journalists, especially the progressive ones, not to rock the boat. A Radyo Agong broadcaster confirmed receiving reports but speculated the supposed “hit list” could have been the handiwork of gambling lords out to silence Western Visayas’ hard-hitting journalists.

Both police and military intelligence authorities have in the past admitted keeping a watch list on journalists some of whom, they also admitted, were under surveillance. Most of those in the watch list were known to have interviewed or have access in line of their duty, to the underground left, Moro rebels and alleged coup plotters.

In the same protest rallies here, media leaders also took turns blaming the government for its inability to stop the media killings – with 10 journalists slain so far this year. The killings were blamed on criminal syndicates, local politicians and even police and military elements.

Liga Journalista’s Gelangre slammed the government for its failure to bring to the bar of justice the criminals and brains behind the media killings. Bombo Radyo anchorperson Nick Mariño urged all journalists to fight back and to continue the struggle for press freedom.

At least a hundred journalists and 300 supporters held a rally at the Fountain of Justice Hall in City hall here. Speakers took turns condemning the brutal slaying on Nov. 13 of Herson “Boy” Hinolan, Bombo Radyo Aklan station Manager. Hinolan, 38, married, and a native of Talisay City, Negros Occidental was shot at close range.

The protesters came from the Negros Press Club (NPC); Congress of Active Media Practitioners (CAMP); Liga Journalista, an organization of young journalists; Correspondents, Broadcast and Reporters-Action News Services (COBRA-ANS) and beat reporters’ club; the Defense Press Corps; City Hall Press Corps; and journalists from almost all the broadcast and print media outlets in the city. Two councilors, one of whom was a former broadcaster, also joined the rally.

Liga Journalista

Earlier, young Negros journalists belonging to the Liga Journalista marched from the streets of Bacolod to the Fountain of Justice, where the bigger rally was held. The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Mass Communication Department headed by Dean Carlos Legaspi, Bayan-Negros, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Migrante, joined the protests.

After the rally, the protesters marched to the BREDCO Port where the boat bringing Hinolan’s remains was to dock. After being blessed by a priest, the remains were brought to Talisay City, his hometown, in a caravan of about 50 other vehicles.

Hinolan’s body in a handsome silver coffin was brought back to Roxas City Nov. 18 where he will be buried upon the wish of his wife who hails from Kalibo, Aklan.

Days earlier in Panay, NUJP and journalists from various media outlets wore black armbands in a show of protest. As the body of Hinolan was being transported from Kalibo to Iloilo City, Ilonggos lined up the streets, offered flowers and lit candles.

In a related development, the Negros chapter of the College Editors Guild of the Philippine (CEGP) denounced the continued attack on the members of the media and the alternative press, as an assault on press freedom.

In its press statement, CEGP said “we are not yet through with the recent slay of Chris Misajon of GMA TV6 Iloilo, and we are again shocked by the successive brutal murders of Bombo Herson “Boy” Hinolan, and Gene Boyd Lumawag, photo editor of MindaNews, and Batangas news reporter Pillorin.”

CEGP also said that “the attacks on mainstream media is not an isolated incident” because campus editors and writers, and those now serving the mainstream media have also been victims of censorship, harassments and killings.

It cited, among others, the case of Beng Hernandez, CEGP Vice-President for Mindanao, who was illegally arrested, tortured and killed in Mindanao last April 2002; Llyod Sato, Vice-President for Visayas who was also abducted and tortured in October 2002; Cecil San Luis, chairperson of CEGP in Central Luzon who was arrested and tortured during 1st semester this year; and Kara Noveda, Secretary General of CEGP-Cebu chapter who was tagged as terrorist, her picture appeared on local Television channels. With other reports / Bulatlat

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