What is your reaction to the abduction of journalist Ces Drilon and her team in Sulu?
The
The peril is real, but some journalists are simply swell-headed and arrogant. They ignored warnings and so they got themselves in trouble. – Rodolfo Talledo,
Hazards of the job
Ces was simply doing her job of keeping us informed about events. Being kidnapped is a high price to pay for looking after public interest. – Johann Lucas,
It’s unfortunate but a journalist’s job has its risks, just like other jobs. As a radio commentator, I was sued for libel three times but I was acquitted by the court in all cases. I also receive death threats but I’m not scared. – Leonard Villa,
Ces Drilon, winsome looks and all, is one gutsy lady. She and her crew went out on a limb to get the news, so we can watch it safely at home. – L.C. Fiel,
It’s part of the risks or hazards of the job, nevertheless, it brought instant fame and glory to them, too. – Romeo Caubat,
Many journalists have the consuming desire to outscoop their peers. Thus, they throw away caution to the wind and defy danger until it’s too late. Ces Drilon, et al. were foolhardy to ignore the threats. Despite several instances of their colleagues previously suffering same fate, they hoped against hope that the Abu Sayyaf had changed their ways for Drilon’s unprecedented rendezvous with history of braving out the lion’s den unscathed. – William Gonzaga,
In pursuit of their journalistic calling, Ces Drilon and company are easy prey to human rights violators. – N.V. Lansangan, Tarlac
Throwing caution to the wind
Lack of proper coordination with authorities led to the critical situation. We cannot blame our police and the military for this “adventure”. They expectedly worked hard to bring Drilon and her team safely back to their families. - Alfredo Carballo Jr.,
Ces Drilon and her team are not immune to the Abu Sayyaf’s ways. She and her team should have exercised extreme caution since media people are a prime target. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan
It is the height of irresponsibility to allow seasoned reporters and her crew to go into a known lair of bandits and terrorists without coordinating with the police and military in the area. Now, the media must learn their lesson. It is not wise to continue romanticizing the criminal acts of the Abu Sayyaf. They should be painted for what they truly are – a group of merciless criminals and terrorists. - Allyson de Vera,
It is so sad that Ces Drilon was virtually fed to the wolves. Any news team should have arranged with proper authorities for their security against a ragtag band of kidnappers and extortionists. - Victoria Pecson,
Deplorable, but for Drilon herself to be there without security escorts, there must have been a bungled scoop that’s as big as her kidnapping. – C. Fundales, Bulacan
A lesson for the media
Even as I hoped and prayer for their early release, this should serve as a lesson to all journalists and media companies that security must be the priority over a big scoop or story, especially in war zones. I cannot understand why rebel groups such as the NPA, MILF, MNLF, and bandits like this one are given much media coverage, thus an opportunity to launch their propaganda against the government. I urge media to focus on helping the government deliver the services they have to render to the people and commenting on its failure to do so, especially in this time of food and oil crises. - Manuel Canlas, Pampanga
We still haven’t learned our lessons.
Nagulat lang naman. Nabasa ko tuloy ang full story sa internet. Tsk. I wished that Ces and company would be released by her abductors. –
The incident glorifies crime
The military’s hands will be tied, ransom paid, Ces et al. freed. Kidnapping will enjoy a resurgence. – Nony de Leon, Malolos
They should’ve known better
A veteran news reporter like Ces Drilon should have known better. The Abu Sayyaf is not a group to be treated lightly and trusted easily. – Arlene Vinarao,
Ces Drilon put herself in harm’s way so she only has herself to blame. This is the nth time that this has happened to people from the media. I hope they will learn this time. - Edgar Artates,
Getting abducted is not worth getting a scoop on bandits and scalawags. Madala na
It’s a lesson for her. The ASG is not to be trusted and history speaks of the group’s evil doings. Several journalists have already been kidnapped by the group. She put herself in trouble for being overconfident. - Steve dela Cruz, Metro Manila
I don’t know how I would handle the situation if the victims were my loved ones. I may keep my cool on the outside, but I’d be tense on the inside. In retrospect, however, Ces Drilon was among the daring press people during the Pen siege, but I did not see her raising her clenched fist in defiance of the police operation nor did I hear her voice of protest against the police for breach of press freedom. I am sorry for her and her company being kidnapped but I presume those arrogant pressmen, especially their bosses, now understand police rules and operations. - Germi Sison,
Ruthless bandits
The abduction shows how desperate and ruthless the Abu Sayyaf is. They deserve the price tag on their heads. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte
They only have themselves to blame
Lesson learned, pure and simple. You should never trust a terrorist and when you do so, there’s nobody to blame but yourself. - Seth Carranza, Catanduanes
If they went there on their own volition, they can only blame themselves. If they were on a mission, their superiors are to blame. – Ed Alawi,
Ill-advised Ces Drilon, in search of a scoop, took a life-threatening risk. They shoulldn’t have been exposed to such danger. – Jim Veneracion,
Ces Drilon and her bosses at ABS-CBN are to blame, knowing the dangers in Jolo or in any Moro landscape. – Nestor Valle,
She knew very well that the people she was dealing with are nothing but bandits, yet she went there to risk her own personal safety for an exclusive interview that would only serve to glorify the terror group. - Terry Gatdula,
Back in the limelight
Ces Drilon bolstered the presence of Abu Sayyaf on the world screen with her abduction in Jolo. – Mike Gonzales,
I beg your pardon but Ces and company should have known better, that those people are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. But, nevertheless, they get what they wanted: They hit the headlines. – Felix Ramento, Nueva Ecija
That’s what happens when media glorifies the bandits. Why not leave them alone and let the military wipe them out? I was saddened to hear the news of her abduction; but then again, go to the lion’s den, and you’re bound to be eaten. - Rico Fabello,
ASG likes the media exposure, thanks to Ces and outscoopers who took the ASG gambit. – E.M. Garcia, Metro
What was she doing there in the first place? Why interview a terrorist group and a known criminal syndicate? They do not deserve the publicity since they have been wasted already by the government authorities. - Mina Achapero,
The Abu Sayyaf is already a spent force. ABS-CBN and Ces Drilon merely dealt the group a double treat: Free publicity and a chance to earn millions to buy more arms for their terror activities. - Dahlia Torres,
Thanks to ABS-CBN journalists, the Abu Sayyaf terrorists are in the news again, outheadlining the Meralco fiasco. – Leandro Tolentino,
No spent force
I was wrong! I thought the military now had the upperhand in Sulu. - Jun Cajucom,
The abduction of Ms. Drilon is a signal that the Abus are back in business, and though limping, has yet to be down and out. – Cris Rivera, Rizal
They had it coming
It was dumb! Snubbing the Marines’ offer to provide security escorts, Ces Drilon thought that her media charisma would protect her from these ASG-JI SOBs! – Gerii Calupitan,
Ces Drilon and company had it coming; they ignored military security to get a scoop. – Jose dela Cruz,
In her apparent attempt to get a remarkable scoop – an up-close and personal interview with the Abu Sayyaf right in the lair of the lions – and by dismissing the offer of the the Marines to provide her security, she had to pay the price. - Elpidio Que, Vigan
It’s probably to draw attention away from Meralco’s overpricing. The new army chief’s authority is being challenged by Drilon to get her voluntary kidnappers before with malice towards none, I consider Ces Drilon’s abduction self-induced or a form of suicide bombing without casualty. – Josh Pacatang,
Ces Drilon deserves it. Nagtatapang-tapangan kasi siya. Ayaw daw niya ng military escorts? Di ayun ang napala niya. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan
She didn’t obey the military’s no-journalist policy in Sulu. Ngayon nagbigay pa siya ng problema sa gobyerno. – C. Manalastas,
Ces seems wanting to be an Amanpour too fast, too soon. I pity her. – Ed Medenilla, Pangasinan
The plot thickens
Dramatic propaganda. – Nick Campaner,
Sa abduction na ‘yan ay maraming salita: 1. May “kuno” pabuntot sa salitang abduction; 2. Joint military-Abu Sayyaf operation daw. 3. Scripted kaya? 4. Pakana daw ng ABS-CBN; and 5. Pure banditry hostage for ransom adventure. Which one, which one? I am confused. Help! –
No regard for personal safety
She got what she came for. Ces proved to the world she is not afraid of kidnappers or terrorists. She is a world-class journalist whose top priority is to get to the story no matter how difficult or dangerous. Personal safety is the least of her concerns. The network she works for must be very proud of her. To Ces, congratulations! You and your team are one of a kind!- Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental
It’s very unfortunate. Ces Drilon is an intelligent and courageous newsmaker. I’m glad she survived and hope that she and her team will create more exciting news stories. – P. Alagano Sr., Vigan
Kahit ba mahilig sa news ang Pinoy, when the area is infested with deadly beasts, quesehodang news na yan.
A big mistake
I pity them but, at the same time, blame them for their greed for a scoop led to their fate. Trusting the Abu Sayyaf is their biggest mistake. – Ricardo Tolentino,
Kudos on their safe release
Ces Drilon works for the TV network ABS-CBN, which unfortunately I’m beginning to hate because of its apparent political biases and undue criticism of PGMA’s government. Nevertheless, I prayed that she would be released alive by her abductors. I’m happy to note that despite ABS-CBN’s public dislike of PGMA, our government did its best to help in the safe and peaceful rescue of Ces Drilon from her abductors. - Juan Deveraturda, Zambales
I hope that having been released unharmed, they can make a report on their experience. – Rey Onate,
THINKING OUT LOUD
What’s the big fuss about quitting smoking? From age 18 to 44, I was a heavy smoker, averaging 1.5 packs/day. But when I decided to quit, I just stopped completely, though admittedly I kept my mouth busy with a lot of food for three to four months to fight off successfully it’s effects. And now, after 22 years without a single puff, I have gained over 30 lbs and smoke only in my dreams. – Felix Ramento, Nueva Ecija
Why are so many gay cross-dressers appearing in local TV game/talk shows? They ruin our viewing pleasure. It’s sickening. – Tony Aquino,
REACTIONS
Your caption on page A28 about the harvest photo in
To Jim Veneracion: I agree with you, brother. J. Deveraturda is a great defender of GMA and her corrupt and graft-ridden government. – Leonard Villa,
I disagree with Mr. Esposo’s idea of the “Trio los Brutos”. I see the trio now as true statesmen, above the rest of trapos around. – C. Fundales, Bulacan
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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