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