Update: ABS-CBN suspends Ces Drilon
By Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Television network ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. will investigate the conduct of kidnapped journalist Ces Drilon to determine whether she breached protocols on news coverage that led to her kidnapping last June 8.
“There is a process of investigation and I don’t want to preempt that process. At the end of that, we have to find out if the proper process was followed by Ces,” network chair and chief executive Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III said at the sidelines of the ABS-CBN stockholders’ meeting Thursday.
Lopez added that “in the event” Drilon is found to have violated proper procedure in her news coverage, “there will be sanctions meted out to her.”
“I don’t know what will happen. Maybe she will be spanked,” Lopez said in jest.
Drilon, her two cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo were abducted in Maimbung, Sulu, on June 8 while their way to interview a top commander of the Abu Sayyaf.
Lopez also said a video taken by Valderama of the group’s kidnappers will eventually be broadcast on ABS-CBN’s news programs.
“Eventually it will come out in the news. Maganda nakuha ni Angelo [Angelo got good footage]. They were able to identify 14 of their abductors,” Lopez said.
Lopez also added that Drilon will not be spared the rod so as not to set a precedent for other journalists who might disregard protocols.
“She endangered the lives of other people. It would send the wrong signal to news if you can endanger the lives of other people simply because the news you got will be used. We don’t want people to make judgments like that,” Lopez said when asked how ABS-CBN could punish a journalist who gathered news for the company.
Lopez also merely said it was the company’s policy “not to give any money” as ransom to kidnappers when asked if ABS-CBN had paid P15 million as alleged by some quarters.
“Our policy is not to give any money kasi kawawa naman mga tao sa Mindanao [because people in Mindanao will be on the losing end] and our employees there,” he said.
Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo were freed last June 17, nine days after they were abducted in Sulu province.
Valderama was released on June 12 after a ransom was reportedly paid for his “board and lodging.”
What a crap! If we go by this contention of this crooked administration, then all journalists like those sent to Iraq, who risk lives, limbs and legs, especially those supposedly not with the US government-controlled media (What was the term used for them since the war on Iraq? Embbedded media?), should be condemned and barred from practicing their profession and from providing the information that the public want to hear, watch and read.
My condolence and sympathy to Ces Drilon! She should leave the ABS-CBN and form her own outfit much like what Ninez C. Olivares has done forming her own newspaper that is now likewise under threat by this criminal government!
Off Topic:
Nakakatawa tong nabasa ko. hahahaaa. It will put a smile on your face ika nga.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/america/bush.php
Good move of the Lopez group. Thats is a part of protocol itself if only to appease naughty minds. In the military, medals are only for those stubborn ones and dont follow established procedures. Many wars were won outside of these established procedures. But of course there are citations made selfserving, others issued to keep mouths shut forever. Who would bag the honors this time, Drillon or the net? What would they do with Ces if she is found guilty? Send her back to Sulu? Thats what the military do to punish recalcitrants, reassignment to the south.
ABS-CBN can go on with the investigation and discipline Ces if they want; but they should stop denying that they gave ransom.
If it was Korina Sanchez, the ransom money would be much higher. But Korina is smarter…she won’t take such risk. In her TV coverages in the provinces, she’s always guided by police and military escorts.
Off topic: How true is it that Jocjoc Bolante is coming home very soon?
the network cares not, i suspect, whether you and i would believe the official line that no ransom money was paid.
part of the decision to keep mum, must have been plain business: announcing accurate figures might move, and invite criminal elements entertain not-so funny ideas of snatching their staffers, whose numbers could easily reach hundred, and demand money from the network bosses.
maisipan sana ng ABS-CBN na palawakin ang kanilang imbestigasyon:
> yung guide nina Ces na kinikilalang asset ng military intelligence sa lugar, hindi kaya planado ang kidnapping ng black-ops department ng mga kaibigan ni Ass?
sinubukan kong paganahin ang aking imahinasyon kung bakit, kayo nagawa ‘nyo na rin ba?
Off topic tayo …
I’m calling all fellow kababayans in the US who are planning to watch the Pacquiao fight tomorrow in Las Vegas to come and bring any sort of placard or t-shirt showing your protest against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and for all those who will surely be in attendance like Mike Pidal, brother Iggy and sons Mikey and Datu, die-hard loyalists Monico Puentebella, Prospero Nograles, Raul del Mar,Amado Bagatsing, Chavit Singson,Danilo Suarez,Rex Gatchalian,Anton Lagdameo and wife Dawn Zulueta, Martin Romualdez and wife Cristina Gonzales,at marami pang ibang makakapal ang mukha, let’s get to rumble!!!! We will be in primetime HBO channel. We’ll see you there.
Let’s not forget that many more politicians are leaving at the last minute for Las Vegas to watch the fight. So, the total is no longer 59 but more than this number.
Hellllow, again, Ellen….I find this post – “ABS-CBN to if Drilon breached coverage protocols”, seriously intriguing.
However, I have a sense that the profound purpose of your posting is going to be completely obfuscated if not completely lost in the “KSK” (i.e., kibitzing,spinning, kvetching) about irrelevant, if inconsequential side issues.
When the “hushed news” about the “disappearance” of Ces “anchor woman na, pamangkin pa ni Senator Frank”, and her cameraman and his assistant, was first leaked out by the “tell-it-all, even if it is not complete, so long as you-tell-it-first”, the question that hit me, instantly, was:
“Was the ‘safari adventure’ of this highly-respected and esteemed anchor TV journalist of ABS-CBN, cleared with and carried the full endorsement and approval of the higher ups at ABS-CBN?” (Or was it not? Ano ito, covert operations by Ces? Kasama ang mga Cameramen?)
“Or, what about…the government authorities, i.e., DOJ, NBI, PNP, etc.???” Were they in on this project, too, or not?
“Was the planned interview (some called it “investigation”; others branded it as a “negotiation for surrender of an ASG leader”) scripted from the top hierarchy of ABS-CBN? and/or with the full knowledge ng lahat na dapat makaalam?”
Or was this just a gutsy and adventurous call by a top anchor woman and TV journalist of ABS-CBN, who was inspired and driven by the prospects of scoring another scoop?”
Mukhang ito ang gustong palabasin ngayon ng “probe (kunyari ba ito?) ng ABS-CBN!
For another, there is that festering obsession with the question – “Was ransom paid or not?” To which my reaction is – is that relevant? How is that relevant? How much was paid? Who paid and who shared are questions given to conspiracy plots that will not and cannot be resolved without overwhelming evidence, anyway. So, hhy should that question or issue even be brought up now?
One may submit and argue vehemently, even…”Hindi mapapakawalan ang mga hostage ng walang bayaran.” And again, my response is…”so what”? Blackmail and extortion works and thrives in the KFR (Kidnap For Ransom) business in the Philippines. Who did not know this?
Let’s take a closer look at the “victim” and see, if we can at least get a revealing hint of whether she acted on her own, her own volition, without the knowledge and approval or endorsement of the ABS-CBN authorities and other authorities of the government. Or, this was a “covert operation, that failed…”
Known facts about Ces that led me to mull over these thoughts:
1. Cecilia Victoria Oren~a Drilon (better known as Ces Drilon) is a veteran TV journalist, who has been on the news breaking scenes for almost a quarter of a century (23 years). She began her career in television journalism in 1985 when she joined the Maharlika Broadcasting System (MBS)(later renamed People’s Television 4) as a news reporter.
2. She is married to the nephew of Senator Frankie Drilon. (that means, may “konek” sa pulitika). Her reporting on the capture of Army renegade Col. Gregorio Honasan caught the attention of ABS-CBN Network, which hired her in 1989 to cover the Philippine Senate.
3. Some of her work experiences included – Pipol Host (1999-2006), TV Patrol World Anchor, Weekend Edition (2004-2005)
Insider Anchor, (2005-2006) Bandila Anchor (2006–present)
The Correspondents Host (2006–present)
Since the 2000s, Oreña-Drilon has served as a co-anchor of the ABS-CBN flagship nightly news programs ABS-CBN Insider and Bandila.
In 2007, Oreña-Drilon was among several Filipino journalists covering the Manila Peninsula rebellion who were briefly detained by the Philippine military shortly after the mutiny was quashed. Note, mukhang may track record or reputation for getting involved, or “being there, where the (real) action is…”
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Now, given this impressive and enviable background and experience, I find it hard to believe that she would “do things on her own”; without “clearance and support or endorsement from her superiors”.
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I am completely at a lost why the ABS-CBN higher ups, now, are posturing as if they were not aware of her whereabouts, and as if they had no previous knowledge of her “safari”, and/or,they were not monitoring the movements of their “star TV-anchor journalist”. Frankly, I am suspicious of this “palabas” about “probing if Ces overextended her journalistic code of ethics and professional commitment.”
Impresses me as another contrived plot…to distract public attention. I am not particularly impressed by (i.e., not a fan of) the oldest oligarchs of public communication, you see.
Noblesse oblige.
Pepeton
Pepeton Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
For another, there is that festering obsession with the question – “Was ransom paid or not?” To which my reaction is – is that relevant? How is that relevant? How much was paid? Who paid and who shared are questions given to conspiracy plots that will not and cannot be resolved without overwhelming evidence, anyway. So, hhy should that question or issue even be brought up now?
That’s a laughable statement.
“Was ransom paid or not?” To which my reaction is – is that relevant?…..are you kidding?
In United States there are specialized training seminars in hostage negotiations. Why? It’s simple because they do not pay ransom to free hostages.
In Pinas there is no need for specialized training on hostage negotiations? Why? Just pay ransom and hostages will be freed. So, anyone can free hostages as long as you have ransom. You don’t need to be a politician like Loren Legarda, Miss No Ransom kuno, to negotiate to hostage taker. That means anyone whether even you are just a shoe shine boy with first grade education and making $1 a day can free hostages as long as they can provide you with ransom money to pay the hostage taker.
So, ransom is not relevant at all huh?
Ransom is relevant as I stated above. If it is relevant then who paid the ransom? who got paid? who shared the ransom that was paid? All of the above questions are relevant?
All of the above questions are relevant.
Pepeton Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Who paid and who shared are questions given to conspiracy plots that will not and “cannot be resolved without overwhelming evidence, anyway”
Pepeton, did you watch the youtube link that I provided below? tiyanak pidal even admitted her coup d’etat of President Joseph Estrada with the help of those generals and Supreme Court justices. It is more than the overwhelming evidence you are talking about. So, what happened to that overwhelming evidence? Also, that hello garci? So, what happened to that overwhelming evidence, huh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh9bECSgfqk&feature=related
All journalists must have an adventurous side in them to be able to get into the big news! Someone somewhere knew that Ces was going to cover a story with the Abus and someone must have tipped it off to those who are always looking for an “opportunity”. The way I see it, this kidnap for ransom may have been a staged kidnapping gone bad. Kuno kuno and then it became real! I really can not trust the evil woman. She can use anybody and everybody around her and money is never a problem! She can unleash attack dogs like Garcia against Meralco. So, I think that this kidnap for ransom on Ces and company may just be her preparatory drama staged to make the Mindanao situation believable to Dubya.
Abs-CbN can probe Ces and company’s kidnapping and the fingers will point out to the pandak! Ces and company were made as props!
Di ba yung asawa ni Noli de Castro is also from that region? Mmmm. Dolorfino’s wives are also from there. Maraming pwedeng angulo di ba?
And Loren Legarda also has connections in Mindanao…
psb,
Noli’s wife is an Ampatuan, the clan that lords it over Maguindanao, where votes are manufactured in EPZA-like fashion. EPZA-Maguindanao stands for Election Processing Zone Authority.
Lintang Bedol is reported to be openly roaming the province, but his amulet from the Pasig River gives him invisibility from Gen. Goltiao and his boys. It is also home to Rey Sumalipao, Garci’s point man, and previously, also to machinegun-mouth Digs Dilangalen who has since been created a province of his own – Sharif Kabunsuan – to shut his trap from inconveniencing the Ampatuans and divulging his knowledge on Tita Migz’ 2007 senate victory.
If I were the AFP, I’d flatten this province with non-stop bombing.
Sioktong,
Go have a drink, a shower, or a bubble bath. Your brains have been pickled. You haven’t got the slightest clue about KFR. Masyado kang nagrurunong runungan.
Dadali ka pa ng USA. What do you know about the “intel operations” in the USA? Never mind. Don’t answer that.
Just to give you piss of mind. No I have not bothered to check out your link which you insist is proof of your lack of “humanint” (that’s a coded term, figure it out, sige nga)
Go read up on STRATFOR, then post what you learned there about national security, KFR..etc. Here’s another one, get the latest book on “counterterrosim” by Fred Burton. Who him? Do some serious and honest research. Huwag kang banat ng banat from your “kabisote memory”.
Change your sign in name to “shock tong”. Or “Toungue-ng-Intsik”, para medyo “hip-hop” ka. Then, mas tolerable ang iyong kapusukan.
Pepeton
Your Titser
sioktong Says:
June 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
In United States there are specialized training seminars in hostage negotiations. Why? It’s simple because they do not pay ransom to free hostages.
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Sabi mo (eto ka na naman)-“In the USA there are seminars in hostage negotiations….(snipped)… because they do not pay ransoms to free hostages????” You are not making any sense…but why am I not surprised (anymore)!!! Whew! Siryus ka ba? Ano ba talaga ang gusto mong sabihin? Nagseseminar ang mga kano about hostage negotiations, kasi they do not pay ransoms to free hostages??? Ibig mong sabihin ba…kaya hindi nagbabayad ng ransom for hostages of kidnapping ang mga kano, dahil nagseseminar sila? Huh?
Never mind. Don’t answer that question.
But please enlighten us, “How many cases of (similar) kidnapping in the USA, or of kidnapping of USA journalists, that resulted in a successful negotiation, without ransom being paid? do you know of? kumpleto with details of how the negotiations were handled?”
Go ahead. This is your chance to share some of your hard earned and intimate knowledge of how to handle kidnap for ransom.
Pepeton
Sioktong:claims
“That’s a laughable statement.”
Pepeton – (over)reacts: BWAHAHAHAHAHA
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“Was ransom paid or not?” To which my reaction is – is that relevant?…..are you kidding?
Pepeton redirects:
To the first: I don’t know if ransom was paid or not. Do you? Prove it.
To the second: The security of the kidnap victims is primordial, ShockTong. Who cares if there was a ransom paid or not? That is a separate issue. And must be dealt with separately. You seem to have a serious problem of reading or seeing and understanding issues backwards…este, can you say dyslexia?
To the third: Am I kidding? No. Kidnapping is never a kidding matter…or don’t you agree with that either?
Who cares if ransom was paid or not? We care. People care. If ransom was paid despite the “no ransom policy”, then what would prevent its precedence? If the government paid for it, then tax payers’ money was paid. This issue will always be connected to the kidnapping.
bitchevil:
You claim “We” care. People care…if ransom was paid…
And your reason is baka gobyerno ang nagbayad. Ginamit ang pera ng taxpayers.
Pepeton disagrees and qualifies:
First of all, you cannot claim that (all) people share your care (or concern). I for one, don’t. And I am sure there are others who share my sentiment. Maybe not in this blog. But how many bloggers and posters are there in this discussion forum? Not all that many. Therefore, your “we” does not constitute a quantifiable nor signifcant number.
Second, you jumped into the conclusion, without any offer of proof, or even an anecdotal account of how you concluded, first, there was ransom paid; second, that the money came from the government.
If you have been following the news on this incident, you will note that – iba iba ang version about the alleged “ransom”, depending on who is “making the kwento”.
a.) One version is, ABS-CBN, foot the bill.
b.) Another is, ang mga relatives ng kinidnap ang nagbayad.
c.) Still another is, some concerned citizens. (Did you read the version that Ed Espiritu, former Sec of Finance, claimed that he “donated” a certain amount? Turned out, dinoble niya ang amount. Kalahati lang pala ang binigay (daw) niya. The other half came from somebody else.
I have not heard any “story” about the government paying any ransom…I am aware that the government has issued a policy statement that it does not pay ransom. Whether it actually ends up doing or not, I will repeat – is beside the critical point…which is SAVING THE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS.
Alam mo ang problema na nakikita ko sa paganalyze mo is…your mind is clouded with suspicion about the government because you hate and distrust GMA. That is the bottom line. And I will prove that, here and now.
Supposing, NO RANSOM WAS PAID from any source. In fact, let us say, the government was adamant and effective in preventing any kind of ransom paid by anybody…
Pagkatapos, pinatay lahat ng hostage….ANO NAMAN ANG REKLAMO under that scenario?
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Alam mo madaling maghusga…magreklamo, find fault…and blame the government for everything and anything that goes wrong…napakadali. And most of the time…napakamali!
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And the main objection I have to this kind of problem solving approach is – it distracts, it prevents an efficient pursuit of facts, evidence and the truth.
Wala kang proof of anything…yet, concern ka na baka ginamit ang taxpayers’ money???
Let me ask you…and you can keep the answer to yourself…if you are a taxpayer in the Philippines, when was the last time you paid your fair share of your taxes?
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Another question, given na ginamit ng gobyerno ang taxpayers’ money…TO SAVE OTHER TAXPAYERS….ano naman ang reklamo mo doon?
Bakit si Ces Drilon ba and yung mga kasamahan niya HINDI TAXPAYERS?
Sige nga…tignan natin kung sino ang mas madaming binayad sa taxes.
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You did raise an interesting point. If your are seriously interested in going deeper on the subject, I recommend you read up on the KFR syndicates in the past. You can start with the Kuratong Baleleng, which started out as a Kidnap for Ransom GANG.
Pepeton
Pepeton,
Lunch break is over. Time to drink your medicine and wear your straitjacket.
Apparently, the Isnajis are being used as fall guys. Now, we know for a fact that they were not part of the kidnapping gang, just being at the wrong place at a bad time. Our theory that it could be another plot concocted by the criminals at the palace by the murky river may still hold true and right.
Tribune has a good editorial on this today titled “Prostituting the Justice System.”
http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20080702com1.html
I recommend that all bloggers not wearing straightjackets 😛 to read it.
I like the new angle of this kidnapping case. It is more believable than the concocted story of the Mayor, who negotiated for the release of Drilon, et al, being in cahoot with the kidnappers. Mas believable iyong angulo gawa-gawa ito ng mga bata ni Dorobo sa military as prelude to her declaring Martial Law with the cooperation of some frightened media.