RMN defiant after final hostage tragedy report

After President Aquino branded the actions of two of its personnel "irresponsible bordering on the criminal," Radyo Mo Nationwide/Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) vowed to remain “a vanguard of democracy." The Manila-based radio station's spokesman Jake Maderazo also hit back at Malacañang Tuesday for supposed loopholes in the final report on the August 23 hostage tragedy. "We will continue to be vanguards of democracy. We have been tested by time. [We have been doing this] for more than 50 years… so we know our job," Maderazo said in an interview on RMN's dzXL radio. He also said RMN is ready to defend itself in the proper forum, insisting its actions stemmed from its "responsibility" to the public. Maderazo and RMN anchors Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo were cited in the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC)’s report on the hostage tragedy. President Benigno Aquino III also said Rogas and Tulfo's actions were "irresponsible bordering on the criminal." In ordering actions to be taken against those "culpable" in the failed hostage rescue, Aquino said, "In the case of media, we view media as an effective partner in providing checks and balances, and to this end, allies in our goal of good governance. We will continue to champion freedom of the press as guaranteed in our Constitution. However, in this case, freedom was not tempered with appropriate responsibility in the behavior of Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo of RMN. Rogas interfered in the negotiations and effectively aided and supported the hostage taker by giving him a platform to air his demands. Tulfo, by his own admission, violated police instructions. Their behavior was irresponsible bordering on the criminal." "We are ready to defend ourselves. This is what democracy is all about. It is fine with us if that is the impression of the Palace review panel," Maderazo said. He added RMN's recording of what happened aboard the bus during the hostage drama provided help for the IIRC investigation. Maderazo welcomed the IIRC recommendation that the matter regarding RMN and other broadcast networks be referred to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). "At least the charges were not criminal; it's more of a code of ethics. We at RMN followed KBP guidelines but we balanced our reporting with the public's need to know," he said in Filipino. He also said the new KBP guidelines indicate they can advise authorities of whatever they do, but authorities "cannot control us." "At least every step of the way the authorities would be advised of whatever we do, magpapaalam tayo (we will notify them). But they cannot control us, we just notify them," he added. Palace’s review report Maderazo questioned Palace's final report for implying he was RMN's station manager, when he was merely the network's spokesman. The final report had noted that "Maderazo’s actions, specifically the interference of DZXL in the negotiations with (hostage-taker dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando) Mendoza, should be referred to the KBP for possible violation of the applicable Code of Ethics." [See article on: Aquino’s statement on recommended actions on IIRC report] "Bakit na-single out ang RMN management (Why single out RMN management)?" Maderazo also said. He said it was possible the review panel was swayed into thinking he was the station manager. "Pinag-aralan ba ito (Did the panel thoroughly study this)?" he said. "It is sad that this was the review panel's opinion. It is apparent the panel was trying to look for something to pin down our journalists. But as far as journalists are concerned, we just did our job," he added. In its 4 a.m. newscast, an RMN male anchor said there was no need for Aquino to warn them against "irresponsible [behavior] bordering on the criminal." "For me, the president did not need to give any warning to media. We know what we are doing. We did our job," he said. Also, a female co-anchor tried to downplay the Palace's final report, saying the tragedy was a "charge to experience" case. "Charge it to experience na lang. At saka nangyari na, it will be part of history, press freedom (Just charge it to experience. It already happened. It will be part of history, of press freedom)," she said in the station's predawn newscast. — LBG, HS, GMANews.TV