Archbishop Palma urges media to continue “evengelical works”
PALO, Leyte — Members of the media should not be cowed over the killings of their colleagues in Maguindanao but rather continue their “evangelical works.”
This was the appeal made by Monsignor Jose Palma, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Palo, reacting to the “horrendous crime” in Maguindanao which claimed 64 lives, more than 20 of them were members of the media.
Palma said that what happened in Maguindanao should not be a reason for the members of the media to be afraid and stop their main duty, which is to help disseminate information to the public.
“My point here is that the horrendous crime (in Maguindanao) should not deter our media people from doing their job for they proclaim the truth just like any evangelization,” Palma said.
For doing their job as media practitioners, they placed their selves in danger, he added.
“Media is doing a wonderful service in proclaiming the truth. But sometimes, we have to put ourselves to danger,” Palma said.
Last Friday night, close to 60 media practitioners in Tacloban City gathered together at the junction named after Ramon Noblejas, a radio broadcaster, based this city, gunned down by still unidentified men 22 years ago. They joined in condemning the brutal murder of their colleagues.
Last Sunday, a Holy Mass at the Santo Nino Church, led by its parish priest Monsignor Benjamin Bacierra, was offered for the victims of the so-called Maguindanao massacre, particularly the members of the media who died.
Archbishop Palma said that he could not help but be outrage on this mass killing incident purportedly carried out by politicians themselves who professed to protect the people they served.
“How could this unbelievable crime happen? People killing other people just to get their political ambition. Is this the essence of public service? he said.
The November 23 mass murder was purportedly carried out by the members of the Ampatuan family aimed to stop a member of a political rival from running for governor of the province in next year’s elections.
Palma said that the families of those killed should always “put their trust to God” as he urged the national government to waste no time in filing appropriate charges against those responsible on this mass murder.
Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., believed to be one of those responsible on the gruesome killings, was already charged of multiple counts of murder by the Department of Justice. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
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