Mobile Alerts  Newsletter  Archives  About Us  Advertise with Us Twitter GMANews.TV Facebook GMANews.TV RSS GMANews.TV
National

Bishop to media: Stop glamorizing terrorists, bandits

MANILA, Philippines - A senior Manila bishop urged media Saturday to stop "glamorizing" terrorists and bandits after the abduction of a television news crew and a professor in Sulu.

Manila bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. said it is high time that terrorists who want to have their side heard be the ones to approach media and take the risk of being arrested.

"Let no one be lured again by lawless elements who may express a desire to air their side. If they really want to be heard, let them be the ones to take the risk. Let us not glamorize terrorists and bandits and give them a chance to inflict harm on our people," Bacani said in his newspaper column in Manila Standard Today.

Bacani, spiritual director of the El Shaddai religious group, is presently in the United States.

He said he was relieved to learn of the safe release of news anchor Cecilia Victoria “Ces" Drilon, her cameraman Jim Encarnacion and assistant Angelo Valderama, and professor Octavio Dinampo.

The prelate said that in Los Angeles, California, many Filipinos were also "very concerned about them."

"Like many others, I prayed for their safety and I am thankful to God that He has brought them back to their families safe," he said. - GMANews.TV
Other Nation stories
Prelate: Arroyo under pressure to support condom program
03/19/2010 | 11:08 AM
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may be under intense pressure from some sectors to support the government program to distribute free condoms, a senior Catholic archbishop has said. More
Manila archbishop frowns on photo ops with politicians
03/19/2010 | 10:41 AM
Shortly before the start of the second wave of political campaigns next week, the head of the Catholic archdiocese of Manila has frowned on candidates’ attempts at using the Church for their... More
Palace downplays rumors over Arroyo’s absence at PNPA rites
03/19/2010 | 09:02 AM
Malacañang downplayed on Friday speculations surrounding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's failure to attend the graduation ceremony of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA)... More
Cops seize ‘magic sugar’ from Manila vendors
03/19/2010 | 09:01 AM
A day after announcing a crackdown on "magic sugar," police in Manila seized the controversial ingredient after raiding a store selling summer coolers using it. More
Let successor name next SC chief, Arroyo advised
03/19/2010 | 08:10 AM
Against all expectations, a close ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday advised her to let her successor pick the new Chief Justice, even as the Supreme Court — amid legal debates —... More
30% of new grads may be jobless—IBON
03/19/2010 | 05:38 AM
As much as three out of ten college graduates looking for work may end up being jobless if the government remains unable to create sufficient jobs, according to a non-government research agency. More
KANDIDATO grills 3 applicants, 6 more to go
03/19/2010 | 05:20 AM
It’s never easy to apply for an important job—and what job could be more important than the presidency? The previous episodes of KANDIDATO have grilled three applicants: Gibo, JC, and Dick. Up next... More
Interfaith dialogue ends with vow to uphold human rights, diversity
03/19/2010 | 04:54 AM
Reiterating their commitment to protect and promote human rights and freedom of expression, member-states including those with bleak human rights records concluded Thursday the special ministerial... More
No price cap on oil despite El Niño - Palace
03/19/2010 | 12:05 AM
There will be no price cap on oil products in areas severely affected by the El Niño dry spell, a Malacañang official said Thursday. More
It’s a costly air war as VP bets splurge too on radio-TV ads
03/19/2010 | 12:02 AM
It’s an expensive air war for presidential candidates; it’s an equally costly air war for their vice-presidential running mates, too. The official campaign period started only last February 9, but... More
ADVERTISEMENT
Family of killed Olympic luger will get insurance payout
2010-03-17 15:30:11
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The family of the Georgian luge athlete who died in a...
Interfaith dialogue ends with vow to uphold human rights, diversity
2010-03-19 04:54:59
Reiterating their commitment to protect and promote human rights and freedom of expression,...
Filipina found dead in rented room in Singapore
2010-03-17 14:26:12
(Updated 10:12 p.m.) Authorities found on Monday a body of a Filipina with stab wounds in...
US stocks climb after Fed pledges to hold rates low
2010-03-18 07:22:57
The stock market has a new formula for success: a slow and steady trek higher.