THE PRESENT TENSE OF A THREAT
note: THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION’S “CHRONOLOGY OF A CONSPIRACY” at the bottom of this entry.
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(It is 1:49 am, I am finally home. Too tired to write an actual entry here. I have to be back in Malacanang very early today, Monday. So i have to rest. Here are some images from the last 3 days, images stored in my camera, shot by me and a fellow reporter.)
THE PRESENT TENSE OF A THREAT
all SET for Presidential Proclamation 1017. This is where PGMA taped her explanation why we are under a State of National Emergency.
some reporters got some flak from some officials for describing the gathering of PGMA loyalists at the Heroes Hall last Friday: somewhat fiesta like in atmosphere. You’ve seen it on TV, you’ve seen the pics here. You decide.
a bad shot. i was chasing PGMA who just left the Heroes Hall (after pressing flesh with her loyalists) to capture her smile/grin on camera. NHK Cameraman (formerly from ABC5) Jonjon Tolentino went pass me and nudged me accidentally just as i clicked my camera. I sort of liked the outcome though.
CRAMPED (Space)
Dreamland film 
Escape from the Planet of the Apes ipod
BTW: here’s MPC President Ferdie Maglalang’s message about the MPC’s limited and controlled movement inside the Malacanang complex, especially about last Friday’s events.
“Malacanang’s move to send us to the Arlegui Guest House (since last Friday) was done without any consultation with the MPC at all. To us, it is a form to limit news coverage and thus: Press Freedom.”
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GAG REFLEX. Media Interaction at the Newsdesk Cafe, Sunday morning.
Feb. 26, 2006
A Call for Solidarity
For a few years now, the global media community has acknowledged the
Philippines among the most dangerous places for journalists. In the
past two years, our country has been second only to Iraq in the number
of media killings. Philippine journalists have fought hard to roll
back the tide of violence. Today, however, the Philippine press faces
its strongest challenge.In declaring a “state of national emergency,” President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo made media among her main targets. She and senior
aides warned of government takeover of media facilities considered
friendly to the political opposition.Police have already raided the offices of the Daily Tribune, a
national daily. Armed men in civilian clothes have gone around the
offices of Abante, the country’s biggest tabloid. Police had earlier
arrested Randy David, a columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer,
holding the award-winning journalist and sociologist for five hours
prosecutors said there was no ground to charge him with any crime.The government deployed troops to the compounds of ABS-CBN and GMA-7,
the country’s largest television networks. The government’s claim was
that the soldiers were protecting these stations from a potential
takeover by destabilizers.Police have also declared that they would not hesitate to takeover
media entities found “aiding” the administration’s enemies. The police
also said they would soon release “standards” or guidelines that
journalists must follow and that investigators and prosecutors were
monitoring the news.By the government’s definition, providing aid to Mrs. Arroyo’s enemies
includes interviewing opposition parties. In simple terms, the
administration wants media to present only the side of the embattled
government, using force and coercion to bend journalists to its
wishes.Filipinos, journalists included, fought a long, hard battle to regain
democracy after two decades of tyranny. That Mrs. Arroyo timed this
crackdown on civil liberties with the anniversary of the Marcos
dictatorship’s fall only highlights her break with the democratic
aspirations of Filipinos. Even as she warns enemies of feeling the
full force of the law, Mrs. Arroyo flaunts constitutional guarantees
to free speech and expression and press freedom.Leaders of Philippine society have spoken out against the government’s
iron-hand tactics. The Philippine journalism community has also moved
fast to unite against this grand assault on press freedom. Today,
(Sunday, Feb. 26), the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
will lead various organizations and individual journalists in
protesting the crackdown on media. The Philippine media community
intends to send Mrs. Arroyo a strong message: We will not go gently
into the night.We call on all our colleagues in print, broadcast and digital
journalism worldwide to support Philippine media in this dark hour.
Please add your voice to our protest. Let us collectively condemn the
crackdown on Philippine media and remind Mrs. Arroyo that no country
can be free to prosper if its media is silenced and cowed. You can
send protest letters to the government through the Office of the Press
Secretary at osec@ops.gov.ph, with facsimile number (632) 735-6167 or
deliver these to the nearest Philippine embassy and consulate. You can
send solidarity messages to the NUJP through its email address,
nujphil@gmail.com or post this on our website, www.nujp.org.
(this set of pics taken by Ayalin)
(i asked the people from NUJP to send me thru email the transcript of the presser this noon, i asked for their permission to post it in my blog)
TRANSCRIPT OF MEDIA PRESS FREEDOM PRESS CONFERENCE
FEB. 26, 2006 AT THE NEWSDESK CAFÉCALOY CONDE, NUJP: The position of the NUJP is we’re very alarmed with what happened to the Tribune, casing of publications, deployment of troops in TV stations, and unconfirmed reports na sinusundan si Arnold Clavio. We’re very alarmed. Some of our colleagues are wondering hanggang kailan ang ganitong atmosphere. The NUJP is enjoining our collegues and members of Civil Society to take a stand on this issue – PD 1017.
DEAN LUIS TEODORO: The PD 1017 is supposed to be merely a statement of what’s going on, what Malacanang is saying. But it seems to me it’s going further than that. The arrest of some members of Congress and people who are allegedly involved in coup plots. But the most worrying of all is what happened to the Tribune yesterday. I think it’s an assault to the free press and unconstitutional. And the press should unite on the basis of freedom, press freedom is under threat. And we can see this from the statements of the PNP. The statement that media organizations will be taken over unless they hue to the standards that govt. has set. I’m wondering what the standards will be. I am sure they are not talking about the standards of accuracy, fairness, accountability and press autonomy. I don’t think these are the standards they are talking about. I don’t know what they mean by standards.
MANUEL LUIS QUEZON III/PDI : I think what we should point out is the broad extent of the govt’s plans being implemented at present. PD 1017 has its implementing paragraph lifted word for word from PD 1081 which is a proclamation of Martial Law. And for journalists, when they lift the proclamation from a proclamation of ML, you see the intent – that media is a threat to national security . The govt. is waging a campaign on a very broad front. There are cases of our brethren in the broadcast media being tailed or troops being deployed in their premises. The PCIJ blog is concerned because they say ther content is being analyzed. Radio is being made to prioritize govt. spokesmen and fearful of dissenters. Thus, your capacity to deliver the news is being compromised because it is based on very unclear rules. The people who cannot write, edit, people whose main job is propaganda are being tasked to impose on the media what counts as fair news. This, the public has not comprehended. Media should standby its cherished rights. This is the beginning of the systematic intimidation of media as in Martial Law days. We have to stop this before it reaches fruition.
LEAH NAVARRO: I am here as a citizen with the right to listen and view news. This the citizens of this country has enjoyed. It’s what we fought for: to get this freedom. I am appalled, along with many of our other friends – civil society and people who listen and read you, who go by the information that you give everyday. We are enraged and outraged at this return to the dark ages of Martial Rule. By any name 1081 or 1017, they are stiffling our freedom. What next? The internet? Censorship? Are we going to go back to the time when we have to cower under this fear. So we hope you will continue to fight for this right. We will support you because we cannot let our freedoms die.
CARL WILSON/FOCAP: This all happened very quickly. I am not speaking on behalf of all correspondents. The point is FOCAP grew from martial law and I think press freedom at the end of the day is a fundamental cornerstone of any democractic society anywhere in the world. At the end of the day, we have the same job. We report fairly, accurately. I think what happens here, it’s the way this story is being reported and carried overseas will have a massive impact on how this government will be seen. Thus, the job of the correspondent is very crucial. The job is fundamental. We need to report what we see. If this is taken away..
JOSE CUCIDO/National President of CEGP: Nangangamba ang CEGP sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kung nagagawa nila ito sa national papers, lalo na sa campus publications. Sa kasalukuyan, very critical ang campus papers sa gobyerno. So kung ginawa nila ito sa Tribune dahil critical sa govt., mas kaya nilang gawin ito sa campus publications. Meron kaming planned actions sa PD 1017. Mananawagan po kami na ang campus publications ay magsuot ng black t-shirt at mag noise barrage sa harapan ng campus to condemn this.
RICKY CARANDANG/ANC: Its very clear that we are under threat. These are threats that we face overtly in front of us. But I also say watch your back because there are threats like advertising boycott, libel suits that can be filed against some of us. These are not direct threats. These are subtle threats and because of this we need to adhere to the highest standards of our possession. Let’s not give them more amunition than they already have.
CONRAD DE QUIROS/PDI: My feelings about this, I expressed in my column tomorrow. The title is ‘Dictator.” I think we should not be cowed with anything like this. I relate in particular my interview with Blas Ople where he told me that when Marcos declared Martial Law, he didn’t think that it will take very long. He never thought that ML would last a low time. But Marcos was so surprised that nobody was resisting it , so tinuloy-tuloy na niya. Our best defense is just to do what we do at this time.
JIMMY ANTIPORDA/ REMATE/Alyansa ng Pilipinong Mamahayag: Ang laban lang natin coverage. Lalo tayong inaapi. So dapat magkaisa tayo. Kasi ang nangyayari ngayon, pati calls namin pinuputol nila. Lahat tayo, dapat marami tayong pagpilian.
CALOY CONDE/ NUJP: Regarding the hotline, we have not set up anything for this. But we have an existing hotline 411-77-68.
MANUEL LUIS QUEZON III/NUJP: The Achilles heel of media are the owners of publications, TV and radio stations. So you have to apply pressure on your owners not to fold. The first thing the Palace does is to talk to the owners.
SONNY: Can we put our unity in black and white, establish a central office where we can monitor breaches, monitor and protect our colleagues. Is it possible to make an audience with the President?CALOY CONDE/NUJP: Maybe we can talk about a centralized communication system for harm done to our colleagues. So para malaman yung mechanics diyan kung paano gawin. So we can respond in case something like what happened to the Tribune happens again.
LEAH NAVARRO: Civil society groups have lawyers. There is FLAG and they are more than willing to help. There is another group of lawyers, apart from CODAW of Atty. Colminares. I believe that this lawyers’ groups will question the constitutionality of PD 1017 in court. Civil society will also help by spreading this issue. So you can continue to write about it. We can inform via fora. That’s how we can help you.
ISAGANI YAMBOT/PDI: We find it strange that on the 20th anniversary of EDSA 1 which toppled the dictatorship, the nation is again in a Martial Law situation or albeit in a disguised form. This so-called State of Emergency has all the earmarks of martial law. The President herself and her generals have said the situation is under control. So, where is the emergency situation? What is the justification for the State of Emergency. If things are under control then they can go after erring individuals or group legally. The taking over of media publications is sending a chilling effect to media men, although it is not sending a chilling effect to the Inquirer. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said the PDI is big fish, they are only going after small fry. So, if we are considered as erring then they should proceed to go after us. The law should be applied equally. We are also concerned that the police is setting standards for the media. What right have they? Are they professionally competent to do this? We the media demand that we set the standards for ourselves. And as a matter of fact, we have set standards for ourselves. In the Inquirer, we have the Reader’s Advocate. We have a manual. We abide by the Code of Ethics for Journalists, etc. Also, there is the legal venue. We have laws on libel, inciting to sedition. If the administration believes some journalists have violated these laws, then they can use the law and accord them due process. Due process is basic to any democratic society. Or are we still a democratic society? I think 1017 is a case of overkill. It should be overturned immediately so we can return to a situation of calm. If I remember correctly, the President said she prefers a licentious press than a bridled one. She said it was government policy. She said this during the World Press celebration in May 3 2002 at the ceremonial hall of Malacanang. Sabi niya, we are known as a free press, a licentious press. But we would rather be known as a licentious press than a bridled one. So why does she want a bridled, suppressed press now?
The freedom of expression is perhaps one of the most important freedoms we enjoy in a democracy. When this is lost, all other rights and freedoms go. So, anyone who wants to be a dictator suppresses this freedom of expression. Thirty years ago, we lost this freedom of expression. I myself had to face clearance from NICA. They told me ‘Mr. Yambot, you are facing two criminal cases.’ It turned out they were libel cases and this is normal for journalists. So I talked to E. Reyes of the NISA. Today, we are facing again the danger of losing this freedom of expression. I think we should all join together and resist this attempt to restrict this freedom with all our strength and all our might.CALOY CONDE/NUJP: The NUJP will continue to keep in touch with media colleagues in the coming days. We will communicate with groups and determine what course of action we need to take.
JOEL EGCO/Manila Standard/ARM: First, definitely, the President’s proclamation is testing the waters. I am representing the ARM journalists and we are now disarmed because they cancelled our PTCs. Mas lalo tayong vulnerable ngayon. Practically, we have no other way to protect ourselves. Marami sa kalaban natin sa media yung Armed Forces and Police. So, they are testing the waters. So we must not be cowed. Let us move on. The most dangerous thing na mangyari sa scenario na ito, baka may third parties na mag-take advantage ng situation na ito. We support the NUJP in this effort. We will press on with the fight. If the need arises, each and everyone of us have to strengthen our ranks. We have to protect press freedom no matter what the cost.
GANI CASTRO: May mga troops daw outside TV stations, pwedeng humingi ng detalye.
RICKY CARANDANG/ANC: I don’t know. Kanina umikot ako sa ABS, wala naman akong nakita.
ALLAN : Parang yung mode of contention kanina ay what to do next.
Actually, walang banta e. ACTUAL ITO. Kailangan ba nating maghintay na maulit iyong sa Tribune. Hindi ito 1081, ito ay 1082. Ang sinasabi nila, ang kritisismo ay continuing crime. Ang totoong crime ay ang patuloy na pagtatakip ng katotohanan na hindi legitimate si Gloria. They use every possible means. They destroyed the institutions – NBI, DOJ. Ngayon, media na ang ide-destroy nila. Ngayon, si Lumibao, gusto niya maging publisher. Sige, general, bigay mo sa amin ang baril at kami ang mag-pe-peace and order. This is the darkest day of all time.CALOY CONDE/NUJP: Whoever wants to join this, please coordinate with the people from NUJP.
SONNY : Will this assembly demand the govt to rescind 1017 and stop all forms of media harassment?
CALOY CONDE/NUJP: Now, I think I speak for everybody that we want this (PD 1017) to stop.
ISAGANI YAMBOT/PDI: Probably we can write a pooled editorial on this issue and I’ll try to convince our editor to have this on page 1 and I hope that the other publishers will do the same thing.
CALOY CONDE: The question of the pooled editorial is probably one of the things we can discuss. Drafting an editorial may take some time but this is certainly what we will do.
CONRAD DE QUIROS: There was a pooled editorial in 1989 and I think we can do another thing like that. Just a couple of other things, I agree that this is not a threat. This is already a transgressions against press freedom. They went after the Tribune kasi weak and later go after the big ones. I guess the best example is from a quote of Bertolt Brecht. If we don’t do something about the Tribune situation and the arrest of people, tayo na ang susunod. I think we should be prepared. We should demand certain things. Our best defense really is to do what we have been doing – this is a matter of legitimacy. President Ramos was right in this respect – Cory Aquino was subjected to so many coups but she never declared a State of Emergency.
ISAGANI YAMBOT: Maybe we can draft a resolution…
CALOY: The NUJP can draft that resolution and circulate it sa media. We can demand the withdrawal of 1017.
RICKY CARANDANG: Flag is drafting a resolution
JIMMY DOMINGO, Phil. Center for Photo Journalism: Gusto naming ipahayag na ang PCP ay nakikiisa sa pagkilos na ito para labanan ang panunupil sa pamamahayag.
CALOY CONDE: The lady is saying some FOCAP members are finding it hard to enter Malacanang dahil hindi daw sila member ng press corps ng Malacanang. The press corps of Malacanang is also complaining of not being treated properly.
NOEL BARCELONA/ PINOY WEEKLY: Meron pagkakataon na mahirap mag-cover pag hindi kilala ang dyaryo mo. In behalf of Kapihan sa Cypress, we support this move. We are expressing the highest condemnation against PD 1017.###
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And, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye sent MPC members the adminsitration’s CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS (interesting read. I haven’t checked if this is already in the OPS site. If yes, I will strike this out here, ASAP)
CHRONOLOGY OF CONSPIRACY
Proclamation No. 1017 was issued to thwart a conspiracy to overthrow the government among the communist rebel movement, certain military officers, and some members of the opposition. The following is a chronology of events leading to the proclamation of a state of national emergency:
BEFORE THE WEEK OF 19-25 FEBRUARY 2006
Anti-Arroyo Groups Planned Massive Protests
• The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) directed front organizations to stage mass protests on 24 February, with 5,000 participants from Metro Manila and 25,000 from nearby provinces.
• CPP-linked groups mount lightning rallies from 17 to 22 February. In recent weeks, CPP’s New People’s Army intensify attacks on government troops.
• Bayan Muna leader Cong. Satur Ocampo said the aims of the protests is to coalesce with other anti-Arroyo groups, including the pro-Estrada and Hyatt 10 camps; and establish a renewed relationship with former president Cory Aquino.
• On 20 February in Alex Grill, Matalino St., Quezon City, the Black and White Movement, Akbayan, and other anti-Arroyo groups announced plans to march 20,000 protesters on 22 February around Metro Manila, converge at the People Power Monument on 23 February, and possibly move to Mendiola on 24 February.
• Pro-FPJ groups under Susan Roces declared that they would join anti-Arroyo protests on 24 February, at the People Power Monument and Mendiola.
• Pro-Estrada/FPJ supporters hold daily vigils and masses at the People Power Monument since 12 February.
Emerging Alliance Between Rebel Soldiers and Communist Insurgents
• On 17 January, four officers among the Magdalo group on trial for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, escaped military custody.
• New People’s Army spokesman Ka Roger Rosal offered sanctuary to the four escaped Magdalo rebel soldiers.
• A captured document titled “Oplan Hackle” detailed plans for bombings and attacks starting on the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming on 18 February.
• The Hackle document also included a plan to spring more Magdalo soldiers.
• On 21 February, one of the escaped soldiers, Lt. Lawrence San Juan, was arrested while plotting with two NPA figures in a communist safehouse in Batangas province.
• Documents of the Magdalo-NPA meeting were captured and would be declassified.
23 FEBRUARY / THURSDAY
Plot to Oust President Arroyo
• In an evening meeting at the home of former congressman Peping Cojuangco, Cory Aquino’s brother, businessmen and mid-level officials plotted moves to bring down the Arroyo government.
• As reported by Time Magazine, longtime Arroyo critic Pastor “Boy” Saycon called someone whom he identified as a U.S. official about his group’s plans if President Arroyo is ousted.
• Saycon also phoned a man code-named Delta, whom Saycon identified as B/Gen. Danilo Lim, commander of the Army’s elite Scout Rangers. Lim said it was “all systems go” for the planned movement against President Arroyo.
• According to Saycon, Time reported, a military component was to march on Friday morning to the EDSA Shrine, near the People Power Monument where protests were to converge.
• At the Shrine, Time said, the troops would be met by Catholic bishops and a Marine general. The general would read a statement withdrawing support from the Arroyo government.
Threat to the Military Chain of Command
• Late that afternoon, meanwhile, B/Gen. Lim and Marine brigade commander Col. Ariel Querubin told AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga that restive young officers and soldiers planned to join rallies on 24 February, so as to provide critical mass and the armed component to the protests.
• Lim and Querubin said they might not be able to dissuade these troops from their plan, and there were indications that the two may also join them.
• After Lim and Querubin left, Gen. Senga discussed the problem with the Army, Navy and Air Force commanding generals.
• Lim and Querubin were called to join the top-brass meeting and advised to stop troops from joining the protests, but they did not seem willing to do so.
• After Lim and Querubin left, Gen. Senga and the major service commanders took steps to secure the AFP chain of command and its loyalty to the duly constituted government.
• They called all major military commanders in the country.
• Navy chief Adm. Mateo Mayuga spoke with the Marines.
• At Gen. Senga’s advice, Lim submitted to the AFP Chief of Staff’s custody.
Suspicious Actions at PNP Special Forces
• On 23 February, residents near Camp Sto. Domingo, base of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) were told to take precautions because some SAF elements were planning to defect
.
• PNP Chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao asked SAF commander Gen. Franco about SAF situation and told him to disavow any SAF defection.• Franco issued statement. He was later relieved without incident, along with two other SAF officials.
24 FEBRUARY / FRIDAY
• By early morning on Friday, 24 February, all military commanders and forces were accounted for and solidly behind the chain of command.
• While the situation was under control, in Gen. Senga’s assessment, it was still fluid and could change.
• The AFP leadership meets daily to assess the situation and take necessary action.
• The military has also embarked on a campaign to enhance the troops’ allegiance to constitutional government, and their understanding of the national situation.
Advised of the foregoing military and civilian developments, the President and the Cabinet decided on the morning of Friday, 24 February, to issue Proclamation 1017.
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Let us all hope for the best. Mabuhay tayong lahat!
