June 3, 2001, The Philippine Star, Radio station hits Palace 'censorship'

June 3, 2001, The Philippine Star, Radio station hits Palace 'censorship'

Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) hit back at Malacañang yesterday for trying to muzzle a Zamboanga station that has been covering ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

The network scored in particular Press Undersecretary Cerge Remonde, who allegedly flew all the way to Zamboanga to stop Radyo Agong from airing field reports on the attempt to rescue kidnapped guests and staff of a Palawan resort.

Remonde, a former president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), came under fire from RMN commentator Ely Saludar for trying to prevent their Zamboanga station from reporting an encounter yesterday in Lamitan, where four hostages managed to escape from their captors.

The Palace official allegedly impressed upon Radyo Agong the state’s power over the franchise while reiterating government’s declaration of a news blackout on the military offensive.

Remonde was the second Palace official to breathe down the neck of RMN following President Arroyo’s request to media executives not to give airtime or print space for the Abu Sayyaf’s propaganda and help her impose a news blackout on any military operation to safely rescue the hostages.

Last Friday, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao called up RMN officials to ask them to explain a "breach of contract" following the airing of an interview with Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya.

In the interview, Sabaya announced that two of the hostages had been killed following a rescue attempt by the military in Tuburan, Basilan.

Tiglao said the Abu Sayyaf is clearly trying to prevent any military offensive against them through a disinformation campaign in the media. – Marichu Villanueva