June 5, 2001, The Philippine Star, Battle versus Sayyaf spreads to airwaves,

June 5, 2001, The Philippine Star, Battle versus Sayyaf spreads to airwaves, cache, 

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But Remonde denied anew yesterday the charges, saying he was merely appealing to RMN to observe "responsible reportage" and was not in any way trying to "censor" the private radio station. 

RMN commentator Ely Saludar, however, questioned the "unspoken intimidation" committed by Remonde when the undersecretary went to Radyo Agong over the weekend with two NTC officials and a military general. 

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, who was the first Palace official to chide RMN over the interviews with the Abu Sayyaf mouthpiece, said Remonde told them about the visit but denied there was harassment involved. 

Tiglao said Remonde's visit was in no way meant to threaten the station of a possible cancellation of its franchise. "This administration won't go to such level to stop a radio station from operating," he said. 

The spokesman explained Remonde was dispatched by Press Secretary Noel Cabrera to Zamboanga to handle dissemination of information on the Basilan situation. 

"He (Remonde) was there to make sure somebody of ranking stature, whom the press can talk to, whom the press can seek advice or help and of course, continue to convince the press to help out in their own way in resolving this crisis," Tiglao added. 

He clarified that the "news blackout" applies only on three points: namely, the military operations, terrorist talking heads, and the background of hostages. "Anything else, we still would want to help the press," Tiglao added. -- Marichu Villanueva