 |
| Site at Palawan where Dr. Gerry Ortega was shot. Photo by Dennis Estopace. |
Keeping
true to slain Palawan radio broadcaster and
environmental activist Dr. Gerry Ortega’s passion, campus journalists from
Southern Tagalog voiced out their calls for his justice in various radio
stations in Southern Tagalog.
“Doc
Gerry was a staunch critic of corrupt officials and a fearless advocate of
anti-mining in the province
of Palawan
Alegre
also lauded the efforts of the Commission of Audit to order the return of P3.9
billion of funds of the Malampaya Funded Projects, but reminded environmental
and people’s groups to remain vigilant in ensuring that individuals who have
vested interests will not take opportunity
of these victories of militant protests.
Alegre
together with the student publications in the region namely The Searcher of the
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Santo Tomas, Batangas; UPLB
Perspective of the University of the Philippines Los Baños; and Heraldo
Filipino of De La Salle University Dasmariñas, radio-hopped in their respective
provinces and campus radio stations. They conducted simultaneous broadcasts to
narrate what happened two years ago at Puerto Princesa to remind the listeners
that the atmosphere of political persecution, culture of impunity and injustice
continues under the Noynoy Aquino government. Other student publications such
as The Lizette of The Laguna College of Business and Arts in Calamba, Laguna,
also joined the commemoration through an improvised campus radio by setting up
stereos and playing a recording in front of their publication office announcing
similar calls for student passersby.
Meanwhile,
student journalists from The Pioneer, official student publication of Palawan
State University (PSU) together with CEGP Palawan chapter held a brief candle
lighting ceremony to commemorate and condemn Dr. Ortega’s brutal murder.
“We
are well aware that until now, Doc Gerry’s daughter Mika, relatives and friends
continue to seek for his justice, but since big names such as Palawan
ex-Governor Joel Reyes and ex-Mayor Mario Reyes are involved, what can we
expect but a response from our justice system that is slow, dismal and may
eventually fail to punish them for their crimes?” Allan Jay Javier, Chairperson
of CEGP Palawan stressed.
The
student journalists also read on-air a personal statement given by Mika Ortega,
who is now an active advocate of anti-mining in Palawan
even after his father’s death. “Today is the 2nd year death anniversary of my
father… Two years and the Reyes brothers are still at large. Two years later
and we are still running after the masterminds behind the murder of my father,”
Mika said in the statement.
Alegre
added that because of the government’s lack of being a model in protecting the
rights of professional journalists such as Dr. Ortega, even campus journalists
in the region continue to be repressed with various press freedom violations.
These include the libel case among student journalists of The Harrow of Romblon
State University, the red-baiting of youth groups such as CEGP and Kabataan
Partylist last November 2012 through a forum conducted by the Armed Forces of
the Philippines in PSU; andthe continued closure of The Epitome of PUP Lopez in
Quezon province due to intense campus militarization in 2008. Just the other
day, pictures circulated in social media showed military men in full-battle
gear in PUP Lopez discouraging students to be active in the similaryouth
groups.
 |
| Poverty also clutches tourism destinations like Palawan as seen in this photo of a fishing community. By Dennis Estopace. |
“We
also see the connection of Aquino’s Bayanihan to the Cybercrime Prevention Law
which targets the freedom of journalists and activists to express dissent in
the cyber world. Instead of concentrating in ensuring that justice has been
given to victims of political killingssuch as Dr. Ortega, the government even
perpetuates further disrespect to freedom of expression through this law which
is essentially a form of state repression,” he ended.
CEGP
Southern Tagalog is currently leading the youth, students and netizens in a
regional campaign toJunk the Cybercrime Prevention Law. Alegre noted that the
government should expect the intensification of protests in time for the
February 6 lifting of the Supreme Court’s Temporary Restraining Order of the
law.
#
January 24, 2013
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
Southern Tagalog Chapter
Reference Person: Michael C. Alegre
Secretary General, CEGP Southern Tagalog