MANILA, Philippines—Local and foreign media organizations have voiced concern over the continuing dangers endured by Filipino journalists and called on the government to work for the safe release of Ces Drilon and her three companions.

“We are deeply concerned for the safety of these three journalists. It is great cause for concern that this volatile southern region of the Philippines remains insecure for the press, and we call on local authorities to work diligently to secure their safe and swift release,” Bob Dietz, Asia program coordinator of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), said in a statement.

In a separate statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)-Asia Pacific said: “The fears held for the ABS-CBN crew are a stark reminder that journalism in the Philippines has not ceased to be an incredibly dangerous profession, and we honor those journalists who work for press freedom under such difficult circumstances.”

The IFJ’s local affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), urged authorities to exert all efforts to secure the safe return of Drilon, her crew, Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and their guide, Mindanao State University Prof. Octavio Dinampo.

“Whatever the abductors stand for, whatever their goals are, there is absolutely no justification for seizing journalists whose sole concern is to seek out the truth and present this as accurately as possible,” the NUJP said in a statement signed by its chair, Jose Torres Jr., and secretary general, Rowena Paraan.

“Seizing [Drilon’s group] cannot in any way serve your ends and can only bring down condemnation on your heads,” it said.

It also called for “sobriety among our colleagues in the media” in reporting on the kidnapping so as not to aggravate the situation and endanger the captives.

Wake-up call

The NUJP said the abduction should be a wake-up call not only for journalists in the field but media owners as well:

“We are only too aware of the risks journalists go through in our work. Too many journalists are sent to dangerous coverage situations without adequate preparations and safety measures. Many silently bear the scars and traumas of their coverage, with hardly any support from those who profit from their toil. It is time Philippine media owners soberly assessed the situation and took steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our colleagues often caught in the line of fire just to get the news out.”

The IFJ said media owners “must ensure that adequate preparations and safety measures are provided for all journalists and media workers who report from especially dangerous regions in the Philippines.”

According to a brief prepared by the CPJ, gunmen associated with various Abu Sayyaf factions have repeatedly endangered the media in Sulu.

Prayers

It cited the 2000 kidnapping of 16 foreign and local journalists, including ABS-CBN cameraman Val Cuenca and researcher/writer Maan Macapagal, who were covering the abduction of 21 people from a resort in Malaysia.

The CPJ also said two Abu Sayyaf members, Anni Sailani and his brother Itting, eluded police after an arrest warrant was filed against them for the killing of MindaNews photographer Gene Boyd Lumawag in Jolo in November 2004.

The brothers were shot and killed in a battle with government troops in June 2007, according to Agence France-Presse.

The Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC), which Dinampo heads, called for the immediate release of the captives.

“We also call on our religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim faiths to extend whatever possible support. Let this crisis see the strength of our solidarity and dialogue as brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” it said in a statement sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines headquarters in Manila.

The MPC said it was praying particularly for Dinampo:

“We from the MPC had always felt we were safest in Sulu with Professor Octa [with] us. At this time when he has fallen victim to the very violence that he has been trying to overcome, we readily lend our moral support and prayers as we continue to move mountains and hound the heavens for his safety and early release.”

Bishop Martin Jumaod of Isabela City in Basilan denounced the abduction and appealed to the captors of Drilon, her crew and Dinampo to release them without preconditions.

“[The abduction] is an affront to democracy,” Jumaod said in an interview on Tuesday with Radio Veritas.

In another statement, Amina Rasul, chair of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, expressed hope that “this appalling incident” would not be “the trigger for another all-out-war operation.”

“We call on all our brothers and sisters in Sulu to resist these un-Islamic, criminal armed groups in our province who are not fighting for a just cause and have done nothing but bring suffering to our people,” Rasul said.

Multisectoral cooperation

Senate President Manuel Villar and other senators called for the cooperation of all sectors in achieving the peaceful release of the captives.

Villar said Drilon’s work “in the name of truth and public service” should now be “repaid” through the “keenest efforts” of the government and the public to bring her home safely.

Sen. Loren Legarda, a former ABS-CBN talent, said journalists were noncombatants and should be treated as such even in conflict areas.

“I urge our people to pray for their safety. As a former journalist myself, I know the hazards and dangers of the calling to inform the people,” she said, adding that she was willing to help secure the captives’ release.

Sen. Richard Gordon said the government should not be involved in negotiations with the kidnappers considering its no-ransom policy.

He said ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. should engage in back-channel talks to secure the release of Drilon and her crew.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. urged Sulu officials, religious leaders, peace advocates, the police and the military to peacefully work together to resolve the issue. “The press is neutral and sacrosanct and should not fall prey to any group or interest,” he said.

Fund-raising

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the abduction indicated that the Abu Sayyaf was again involved in fund-raising activities, especially kidnapping for ransom.

“The most vulnerable victims are high-profile personalities with the potential … [to meet] ransom demands,” said Biazon, a former military chief of staff.

Senate Majority Leader and ex-broadcaster Francis Pangilinan called on the police to “leave no stone unturned” in the search for the captives.

“The disappearance of Ces and her crew is a dire manifestation of the dangers facing our journalists in the practice of their profession,” he said. Reports from Jerome Aning, Kristine L. Alave, Margaux C. Ortiz and Cynthia D. Balana