Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - A Catholic journalist, a volunteer of a diocesan radio, was among the 12 journalists killed in the massacre of Maguindanao, which according to the latest information from the local police has exceeded 60 victims. Neneng Montano was a young reporter working for the station DXCP - headquartered in the city of General Santos - in the Diocese of Marbel. Fr. Angel Buenavides, Director of the Station told Fides: "The local Catholic community is sad and shocked by this event."
Radio DXCP is part of the Catholic Media Network (CMN), a network of Catholic stations - some owned by the Diocese, other privately launched by Catholic faithful - which encompasses 54 radio stations and 3 television stations throughout the Philippines, many in the South.
The network is closely linked to the Filipino Bishops' Conference, although it remains an independent network. The President of CMN, Fr. Francis Lucas, is also Executive Secretary of the Bishops' Commission for Social Communications. In an interview with Fides, Fr. Francis notes: "Neneng was a courageous collaborator. We condemn the massacre and we are urging President Arroyo to bring to justice those responsible. The massacre must not remain unpunished. There must be a guarantee to ensure the rule of law and respect for human rights in Mindanao. This is a task of the government.”
Fr. Lucas notes: "We urgently need special protection for women, lawyers and journalists, who are often victims of violence, assaults, murders."
"Our network - he explains - is at the service of society and social peace in Mindanao. We have stations in areas with a majority indigenous or Muslim population, or in very dangerous areas like Jolo, Tawi-Tawi area and other provinces of Mindanao. Our job is to proclaim the truth and be close to the people. Sometimes it is a risky task, as has been seen in the massacre of Maguindanao. We are worried, but we keep going: it is part of our mission to serve the Gospel and the poor. We are praying for Neneng and his family."
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, with the death of 12 journalists in Maguindanao, the country has experienced "the worst day in the history of national journalism." With over 60 journalists killed in the past 20 years, the Philippines is at the bottom of the ranking list from “Reporters Sans Frontieres” for freedom of the press. "A widespread culture of impunity makes the Philippines one of the most dangerous countries in the world to practice journalism," said Sheila Coronel, Director of the Center for Investigative Journalism in the Philippines, begun 20 years ago to denounce the violence and corruption in the country. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2009)
