| Journalists pay tribute to fallen colleagues |
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| by Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews | |
| Wednesday, 25 November 2009 21:57 | |
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 November) -- There was a slight tremble of the voice of Philippine Star correspondent Edith Regalado as she talked about her colleague, Bong Reblando, who was among the 12 journalists and 36 persons who died in the grisly Maguindanao massacre.
"I was sorry that I did not answer his emails,” Regalado spoke about her friendship with Reblando, a correspondent of rival paper, Manila Bulletin. Reblando’s body was among those earlier found by soldiers on a dirt road in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao last Sunday. “I never thought his life would end this way,” Regalado said as she joined her colleagues at an indignation rally against what journalists’ groups described as “the worst loss of life in one day in the history of journalism.” Like her colleagues, Regalado lighted a candle and mumbled a prayer for the journalists who died in Maguindanao. At least 12 journalists were part of the convoy. “We demand justice for our colleagues and those who died in the massacre,” NUJP Davao chair Cheryl Fiel said. Fiel’s call was joined by NUJP chapters nationwide who staged similar rallies in Zamboanga, Manila, and Baguio. “We ask the government to swiftly arrest and punish the perpetrators of this mass murder,” NUJP Zamboanga chair Julie Alipala said. The NUJP said the incident was the biggest tragedy that Philippine journalism has ever suffered. “This goes beyond the issue of freedom of the press and of expression and strikes at the very foundations of democracy,” NUJP national vice chair Nonoy Espina said. The massacre in Maguindanao also appalled international journalists groups. "The frenzied violence of thugs working for corrupt politicians has resulted in an incomprehensible bloodbath," said Reporters Without Borders , an international press organization. The International News Safety Institute which provides trainings for journalists said the violent incident clearly made the Philippines as one of the deadliest nations on earth for the news media. "This is a horrific event for all in the world news community, but it goes beyond an attack on journalism and press freedom -- it is an appalling assault on democracy itself," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder.in a statement to Mindanews. Red Batario, executive director of the Center for Community Journalism and Development called on other media organizations, press associations, civil society organizations and all those who believe in human rights to stand together in calling for justice. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews) Share this story through the following Social Media sites:            |
