Journalist killings continue

The death toll of journalists being killed in the Philippines continues to rise. On the early hours of December 9, 2008, Muriel Leanilo, a tabloid columnist of “Bagong Balita” was slain by an unidentified gunman who walked away from the site of the crime in Aurora, Boulevard, Quezon City. The motive of the killing wasn’t known.

Following the shooting death of another journalist less than a month ago, Leanilo was rushed at Quirino Memorial Medical Center but was pronounced dead on arrival. His companion, Christina Valldolid, was seriously hurt. A taxi driver who saw the murder said the assailant walked away after the incident.

Cold-blooded slaughter has been a common occurrence in the Philippines. The administration of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo appears helpless in stopping the crimes which earn bad reputation for the country. Apologists of the government can’t say that the unsatisfactory national human rights and freedom records are “perceptions” only. There is an obvious lack of justice. Unhalted murders suggest political instability which may worsen in time. (Photo Credit: Campino Castillejo)=0=

RELATED BLOGS: “Another gruesome journalist’s slay” Posted by mesiamd at 11/17/2008; “RP’s 2008 Press Freedom Rank: 142nd out of 173 nations,” Posted by mesiamd at 10/26/2008; “Deteriorating Human Rights Record: another journalist shot dead in Camarines Sur,” posted by mesiamd at 08/16/08.)

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Brazen thieves & their love for jewelries

Wowowee, the popular ABS-CBN TV show is most remembered for the Ultra stadium stampede which resulted to the gruesome deaths of 74 game show spectators and injured more than 800 others on February 4, 2006. I still feel a sense of great loss and sadness for the victims. With similar sadness, I read that noontime Wowowee program host Willie Revillame lost P3 million worth of personal stuff to akyat bahay thieves in a well-executed robbery in his home in Corinthian Hills Garden in Quezon City on Monday, November 3, 2008.

“Suspects gained entry through the house comfort room by destroying its back window and carted away with assorted jewelries approximately worth P3 million,” said Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, Quezon City Police District. Inquirer..net (11/03/08, Aurelio, JM)

I can imagine the brazenness of robbers when economic crisis roils on. Revillame must be an attractive target of theft— for as a TV celebrity he must have much jewelry and expensive items to keep. He suspects the early dawn theft to be an “inside” job which is a cautionary reminder of the increasing difficulty in protecting private property. It is unclear if he will ever go far from just reporting the incident to the police.

High walls, security cameras, guards, barbed wires, watch dogs, and caretakers don’t provide perfect protection. That’s why some rich people opt not to have jewelries at all. Besides, keeping valuables entail expenses in terms of covering them with adequate insurance. (Photo Credit: C4Chaos; lightweavers) =0=

Ateneo Celebrates UAAP Championship 2008

Minutes after beating De La Salle University in UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals, Ateneans flocked to Ateneo de Manila University campus in Diliman, Quezon City and were treated to free canned Pepsi and packaged snacks. Beers were not free but were sold at factory prices. Pinoy bands led by Sponge Cola performed for free.

Fireworks were not of Beijing Olympics standard but brilliant enough to light up the night sky of Diliman and Katipunan Road—and more importantly to release the Atenean’s joys of victory after years of agony of defeats.

Despite its elite image and having the Philippine first gentleman among its prominent alumni, Ateneo rivals UP Diliman in its fight against the excesses of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

This blog extends our congratulations to the Blue Eagles.

Note: YouTube link sent by Andy Gimpaya, Jr.