Si Officer Buckle ang nakaaalam ng pinakamaraming batas pangkaligtasan sa kahit kanino sa Napville. Bawat oras na nakaiisip siya ng isa ay idinidikit niya ito sa kanyang pisara. Isa dito ang Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 77: "Bawal tumayo sa upuang de-gulong."
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Ipinakakalat ni Officer Buckle ang mga batas na ito sa Napville School. Ngunit walang nakikinig, kalimitan pa'y sila'y humihilik.
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Pagkatapos noo'y ganoon pa rin. Si Gng. Toppel, ang punong-guro ay ibinaba na ang pakilalang paskil. "Huwag tumayo sa upuang de-gulong," wika ni Officer Buckle, ngunit hindi siya napansin ng punong-guro.
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Isang araw, ang himpilan ng pulisya ng Napville ay nagdala ng asong si Gloria. Nang panahon na upang magsalita si Officer Buckle, sumama ang aso.
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"Mga bata, ito si Gloria," pakilala ni Officer Buckle. "Sinusunod niya nag aking utos. Gloria, Upo!" at naupo nga si Gloria.
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Ibinigay na ni Officer Buckle ang Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 1: "Palagiang buhulin ang pisi ng inyong mga sapatos!" Napatingin ang mga bata at nakinig.
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Tiningnan ni Officer Buckle kung nakaupo si Gloria at siya nga.
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"Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 2," sabi ni Officer Buckle, "Laging punasin ang mga tubig sa sahig nang walang mapadulas!" Bumuka ang mga mata ng mga bata.
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Tiningnan ni Officer Buckle si Gloria ulit, "Magaling na aso," sabi niya. Pagkatapos noon, winika ni Officer Buckle ang batas na nalaman niya kaning umaga.
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"Huwag mag-iiwan ng thumbtacks na pwede mong maupuan." Doon ay napasigaw ang mga bata.
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Napangiti si Officer Buckle. Tinapos niya ang pagsasalita ng mga batas na puno ng ekspresyon. Pumalakpak ang mga bata. Ang iba'y naiyak sa higit na kasiyahan. Hindi makapaniwala si Officer Buckle, dahil hindi niya napansin kung gaano pala kasaya ang pagbibigay ng Batas Pangkaligtasan. Pagkatapos ng pagsasalita ni Officer Buckle, wala nang kahit isang aksidenteng nangyari sa Napville.
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Sa sumunod na araw, nakatanggap ng mga sulat ang himpilan ng pulis. Mula ang mga sulat-pasasalamat sa mga mag-aaral ng Napville School.
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Sa bawat sulat, nakaguhit si Gloria. Nagtaka si Officer Buckle sapagkat punung-puno ng imahinasyon ang bawat sulat.
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Ang paborito niya sa lahat ay ang sulat na hugis bituin na mula kay Claire. Winiwika dito: "Ikaw at si Gloria ay magaling. Ang inyong kaibigan, Claire. P.S. Lagi ankong magsusuot ng helmet, Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 7."
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Pagkadikit ni Officer Buckle ng sulat ni Claire sa kanyang pisara, tumunog ang telepono. Mga paaralang hayskul, elementarya at kindergarten ang tumatawag para sa kanyang pagsasalita. "Officer Buckle," wika nila, "nais ng aming mag-aaral na marinig kayo! Pwede bang sa inyong pagparito ay isama mo ang aso?"
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Sinabi ni Officer Buckle ang kanyang Batas Pangkaligtasan sa 313 na paaralan. Sa bawat paaralan na kanilang pinupuntahan, nakikinig ang mga kabataan.
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Pagkatapos ng bawat pagsasalita niya, kumakain sila ni Gloria ng ice cream. Mahal na mahal ni Officer Buckle si Gloria.
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Isang araw, isang grupo ng nagbabalita sa telebisyon ang nag-rekord sa video ng pagsasalita ni Officer Buckle sa loob ng isang awditoryum sa isang kolehiyo.
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Nang matapos niya ang Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 99, "Huwag maligotuwing may unos," napatayo at pumalakpak ang mga estudyante. "Bravo! Bravo!" sabi nila. At si Officer Buckle nama'y yumuko nang yumuko muli't muli.
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Nang gabing iyon, nanood ng balita si Officer Buckle. Nakita niya na ang paggawa ni Gloria ng kanyang sinasabi sa kanyang likod nang hindi niya nakikita ang siyang pinapalakpakan at hindi siya.
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Pagka-umaga, tumawag ang punung-guro ng Napville School sa himpilan ng pulis. "Magandang umaga, Officer Buckle! Oras na para sa inyong pagsasalita!" Sumimangot si Officer Buckle. "Hindi na ako magsasalita pa! Wala namang nakikinig sa akin!" "Oh!" wika ni Gng. Toppel. "Papaano na si Gloria? maaari ba siyang pumunta?"
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Mula sa himpilan ng pulis ay pinasakay si Gloria tungo sa paaralan. Umakyat ng entablado si Gloria na malungkot. Nakatulog siya pagkatapos, kasama ng mga manonood. Pag-alis ni Gloria, ang Napville School ay nagkaroon ng pinakamalaking aksidente.
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Nagmula ito sa banana pudding na nakakalat sa sahig. Lahat ay napadulas, tumama sa upuang de-gulong na tinatayuan ni Gng. Toppel, na sumigaw at nabitiwan ang martilyong hawak niya.
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Kinabukasan, maraming mga sulat ang ipinadala sa himpilan ng pulis. Sa lahat ng sulat ay nakaguhit ang aksidente. Sa ilalim ng sulat ay may isang hugis-bituin na sulat mula kay Claire. Napangiti si Officer Buckle.
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Hinalikan ni Gloria si Officer Buckle at tinapik ni Officer Buckle si Gloria. Pagkatapos noon, nasisp ng pulsi ang pianakamainam na Batas Pangkaligtasan sa lahat...
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"Batas Pangkaligtasan Bilang 101: Laging samahan ang iyong kaibigan!"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Scholarly Paper - A Case of Ethical Dilemma
University of Saint La Salle
Bacolod City
College of Arts and Sciences
Mass Communications Department
A Scholarly Paper in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course Communication Values and Ethics
Submitted by:
Jim Austin Tolentino
Submitted to:
Mr. Rhoderick K. Samonte
Center for External Relations/Institute for Negros Development
University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod City
University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod City
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Abstract
The paper aims to evaluate a certain media involvement in an ethical issue which is the hazards of going after a news story and risking one's life doing it. The situation is filled with consequences that could have been evaded upon further consideration of internal and external factors. The country being one of the most hazardous places for journalists, the theme of this paper is about the seize and release of ABS-CBN journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon.
The paper presents newspaper clippings of the developments in the case presented until it ended about nine days later. Developments, including continuous supply of communication to the media team by phone and press releases of the abductors had been followed closely.
Conclusive to the series is the release of the news team. But that does not conclude the case study and presentation. Ethical dilemmas, momentarily forgotten for the sake of the crew's safety, should be tackled afterward.
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Case Presentation
INTRODUCTION
Together with two cameramen and a professor from the Mindanao State University, Ces Drilon was kidnapped by members of the guerilla group called Abu Sayyaf on the way to interview a top commander of the terrorist group. Maimbung mayor Naji Maldisa confirmed the kidnapping Tuesday, June 10, 2008. The MSU staff, Prof. Octavio Dinampo was with cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama.
Albader Parad of the Abu Sayyaf and Gafur Jumdail of the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari breakaway group were the alleged kidnappers of the media personnel and professor.
Drilon and company were held at gunpoint in Labbah 10-12 kilometers away while on their way to Barangay Kulasi , Maldisa quoted witnesses as saying.“Before they could get to Kulasi, they had to pass two more barangays—Datu Ugis and Kapuk Punggul,” the mayor said, also saying that Labbah is not a populated community. “They were on the main highway in Labbah when the Tamaraw was stopped.” (Alipala, 2008)
Nine days after the abduction, the crew were released together with the MSU professor, 11 PM Tuesday. They were picked up by Jun Isnaji and brought to the house of Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Talipao, Sulu. They were in good condition but they needed medical attention and nutrition.
Authorities thanked the people of Sulu and their local government for their cooperation with the armed forces in trying to bail the media personnel out. It had also been found out the Senator Loren Legarda, former colleague of Drilon, took part in the negotiations, which included "pressuring, cajoling, appealing, and even threatening them to free the captives."
Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon said,"Ang aral po dito laging sinasabi hindi natin puwedeng i-exercise press freedom na malalagay ang [The lesson here is we can't exercise press freedom by putting] reporters or journalists in harm's way, na hawak ng terrorista or criminal elements." (Alberto & Guinto, 2008)
There can be a lot of ethical dilemmas in the picture. First is the persistence on the part of the newscaster to enjoy press freedom in a quest to get the story at a personal risk. This is what the paper will be talking about. Another is the motivations behind the "without conditions or payment of ransom but on 'purely humanitarian grounds'” claim of the parties who helped pull the crew out. We should take it in point that Sen. Legarda is a prominent presidentiable or vice-presidentiable. And lastly is the unmentioned grounds of sanctioning Drilon went through as punishment for "disobeying orders not to go to Indanan, Sulu, where she and her cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama were kidnapped by an armed group.” (Papa, 2008)
INVOLVEMENTS
Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon had been with ABS-CBN since 1989, after working with Maharlika Broadcasting System Channel 4. She anchored The World Tonight, a daily English news broadcast program. She also hosted Pipol, Insider and the Correspondents - all from ABS-CBN. She had covered important public events, including the 1989 coup attempt to the Aquino regime, 1990 earthquake, 1991 eruption of the Pinatubo and the failed rebellion of Sen. Antonio Trillianes IV from the Manila Peninsula Hotel in 2007. (Sampan & Go, 2008)
Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama are members of Drilon's news team. They had been abducted with Drilon. Valderama was released ahead with an alleged P2-million ransom for "his board and lodging." (Alberto & Guinto, 2008)
Prof. Octavio Dinampo teaches at Mindanao State University. He was the team's guide down to the Abu Sayyaf camp.
Mayor Naji Maldisa of Maimbung confirmed the abduction of the team.
Albader Parad and Gafur Jumdail of the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari breakaway group respectively were the abductors.
Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, the police chief of ARMM, said that the team was initially brought to the Karawan complex since the place is saturated with law enforcers.
Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus, denied reports that Dinampo might be included in the plot to seize the news team by saying, “[Dinampo] is our negotiator for peace in the area, being our Bantay Ceasefire chair.” She addedthat Dinampo is “a gracious and reliable guide of many visitors to Sulu, and has consistently protected his visitors even at the risk of his own life.”(Alipala, 2008)
Jainatu Dinampo is Mrs. Octavio Dinampo who expressed worry about her husband's arthritis and that he is not being considered a kidnap victim.
Fatmawatti Salapuddin said that Dinampo was “one credible person” in the area with his access to different armed groups. She is from the Bangsamoro Women Organization.
Maria Ressa is ABS-CBN news and current affairs chief who had been in touch with Drilon a day after she went missing, being informed by Drilon herslef that the team was detained.
Avelino Razon is the PNP chief who received the ransom demands and confirmed the release of the team after nine days of the abduction. The ransom had not been granted.
Sen. Loren Legarda is a former colleague of Drilon before she entered the senate. She secured the captives’ release without conditions or payment of ransom but on “purely humanitarian grounds.” (Alberto & Guinto, 2008)
Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and Governor Sakur Tan are members of the local crisis committee who aided in persuading the abductors to free the team.
Haider Isnaji is the son of Mayor Alvarez Isnaji who also coordinated with the rebel group.
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
Mentioned on the introduction above is a chronological set of events involving the abduction and release of ABS-CBN news team led by broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon. The ethical dilemmas also presented give a fair view of what could still have happened. It starts with their itinerary for the day which is a trip to interview on of the top commanders of the Abu Sayyaf group, to the release, and the sanctions faced by Drilon upon returning to the office.
Did Drilon and her team have a choice as to going after the news and risking themselves? Could they have been safer, and not been under the terrorist group's custody, had they taken in extra care in treading through terrorist territory? How far is a journalist supposed to go to secure a story for his network? Would the ethics of campus journalism still be obeyed in the scenario?
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVED
Respect for Autonomy - Drilon had her own decisions to herself to go after the news story she desires to share with the people.
Informed consent - Applying to both the cameramen as agents under Drilon's instruction, and Drilon herself under the authorities' instruction. They were informed of all the risks, being in the business in the better part of their working lives.
Veracity - The journalists' continued path into obtaining the truth despite all the risks is very evident in the scenario.
Human Dignity - The threat to behead the news team had been a clear indication of the price of human dignity. The Abu Sayyaf's continued fight for administrative independence also indicates their need to be honored and seen as they are. This is mainly rooted to the belief that the source of human dignity is rooted in the concept of Imago Dei, in Christ’s redemption and in our ultimate destiny of union with God. (Ascension Health, 2007)
Subsidiarity - not necessarily to the abduction itself, but there is subsidiarity in the scenario because of the organization Drilon is in. Not just with ABS-CBN, but also among her small group with the cameramen
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Based on the ethical principles involved in the case presentation and the journalistic ethical dilemma of how far to go to get a particular story, the recommendations are as follows:
1. The use of personal judgement. While it is true that journalists have their own sense of autonomy as persons themselves that should also be respected, they are also members of an organization who look up to superiors. The judgement therefore must be in accordance to what would benefit all the members.
2. Consideration of all the factors before proceeding with the act. Looking into the case in itself: Mindanao is a hostile part of the country - of that Drilon is sure. They were confident that they were not supposed to be touched by the rebels because they also convey the rebels' messages to the government, but they should also have considered that the rebel psychology may see anybody from the neutral part of the society to belong to the government by default.
3. Awaiting further instructions, or asking for them. This is not a school situation wherein anybody could be reprimanded for not being able to comprehend and ask for clarifications. This costs safety of people - people who we rely on for knowledge about what's happening at that, in the pursuit of the information to share.
4. Asking for assistance. Extra security or back-up until a few kilometers before the exchange won't hurt the egos of the rebels. At least the defenseless media people won't be travelling alone and be exposed to all risks of ambush and accidents.
CONCLUSION
The case presentor prefers all of the mentioned solutions, since they can be done together. Doing all them would ensure that the profession is practiced well according to the laws that safeguard the interests of all the involved.
This is a tough job encompassing tasks as simple as writing about a select feature on lifestyle to life and safety - costing adventures. Let it be remembered that the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for this business. While these things can be inevitable in many instances, a little observance of ethics in the regulations could just possibly save oneself and one's team from doom.
Drilon humbly accepted her sanctions and admitted that because of her actions, she had jeopardized her team's safety. She wrote, “I respectfully accept the sanctions you deem proper in my disregard of your order. I cannot put into words how deeply I regret having put my team in danger ... and having caused anxiety and stress to the whole organization.” (Papa, 2008)
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References
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/10/yehey/top_stories/20080610top8.html
http://www.ascensionhealth.org/ethics/public/key_principles/human_dignity.asp
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