Battle versus Sayyaf spreads to airwaves

They’re fighting fire with fire, and also setting up a government-controlled information center in the ravaged island of Basilan to counter broadcasting entities that the government claims are giving radio time to the enemy.

"The media are really after information; that is why we are setting up this network to be able to provide them with that," said Press Undersecretary Cerge Remonde, who earlier chided Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) for airing interviews with the Abu Sayyaf.

Despite the "news blackout" imposed by President Arroyo on the government’s rescue operations against the bandits now on the run with their remaining hostages, Remonde disclosed over state-run radio yesterday that he was sent to Zamboanga to set up the special government media center.

"The President has personally directed me to help media in providing information to the people about the crisis," Remonde said.

Among those participating in the setting up of the "efficient information system" are the Office of the Press Secretary, the Radyo ng Bayan stations in Mindanao, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), public information offices of local government units and the AFP Southern Command.

Remonde was earlier scored by the RMN for his alleged attempts to "pressure" its Radyo Agong station in Zamboanga to stop airing their interviews with a bandit spokesman amid ongoing rescue operations for the hostages taken from a Palawan resort.

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