KBP – MMC STATEMENT ON MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

BP – MMC STATEMENT ON MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

November 23, 2009 is one of the darkest days for Philippine journalism. The cold-blooded slaughter of journalists and politicians in Maguindanao brings to light the glaring truth that in our country, journalism is a dangerous and life-threatening profession. There is no turning back. This event has forever blighted the journalism industry in our country.

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas-Metro Manila Chapter absolutely condemns this criminal act and at the same time, clamors for justice for the murdered men and women – the politicians, lawyers, innocent motorists and members of the print and broadcast media.

Our organization is profoundly saddened and shocked that this can happen in a democracy such as ours. It is even more distressing to note that this is not an isolated incident. Over the past few years, we have seen the cold-blooded murders of our fellow journalists, who, in their zeal in performing the noble objectives of their profession, have shed their blood and risked their lives. Such bloodshed is unnecessary and sickening. It is by no means excusable or justifiable.

How can we claim to be a country that espouses the ideals of democracy when we slay journalists – those who guard the truth and stand for freedom of speech and expression?

This must not continue. Violence against journalists must be put to an end. We must take great pains to ensure that this will never happen again.

Equally important is achieving justice for the victims and their families. Those responsible must be dealt with to the full extent of the law at the soonest possible time. The government must ensure that the gunmen and the big people behind them are put behind bars and be held fully accountable for their truly malevolent act.

Political power is a dangerous thing, but never more dangerous in the hands of those whose lust for it far outweighs the noble responsibility of serving the people. So wrest the powers from them, if we must, and reclaim justice. This is what we must do, and we must do it now.

BY: REY LANGIT

Chairman

Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas-Metro Manila Chapter

Wake up, Speak up, and Move

WAKE UP, SPEAK UP, and MOVE
By Alyza Cabais

Bagyong Ondoy as we all know pounded and destroyed majority of Manila, Philippines. It is a big impact because Manila, The Philippines’ capital and center of employment if I may say, experienced a natural disturbance. Manila is a busy place, everybody works, everybody goes to school, everybody is on the move everyday. And yet this typhoon hit it inside and out disturbing Manila’s routine and habit of working, earning and studying.
Well for my first entry in my new blog site, I want to address the nation, the people, old, young, that we should open our eyes and see the bigger picture. What does this all say to us? So what now? What do we do when we all get the city together and running again?
I realized some things after watching countless reports on the flood and the death toll rising. How I wish it was just the Express way toll that rises, but no, people, lives are cut and ended because of these natural disasters. There were moments when I just wanted to look away and watch a happy film with no water in it. But then I thought that these things happen for something. A basic example is my life. Well, I probably lived for a reason because if I don’t believe that, then I’d be dead by now.
These things I saw and reflected on. So I watched the film The Day after Tomorrow. Depressing I know, but I just wanted to hear and see what I was reflecting on. I realized that we are so still, motionless, tranquil. The country hasn’t progressed and well, is asleep. The Vice-President on the film said after surviving the storm that if people don’t correct their mistakes, then it would just be a cycle, things like these would continue and worsen.
I am still a youth but I am not, definitely not indifferent. I actually have a brain that normally works. So I thought to myself, just speak up in whatever way you can. So this is it, I’m speaking up, well, shouting actually. I’m shouting to not only the government but to each of Us who’s been sleeping with what the world’s condition is, wake up and do something. If you have to shout and tap literally our leaders in this country, do it. Nike even said to just do it.
These things happen for a reason, it might be a blur to us by now but we should start working, start caring more for nature, it’s for us anyway. Let’s restore the beauty of this world in the beginning where God said it was all good. Just speak up, wake up, and move.