Journalists denounce DILG officer over tongue lashing incidents  

TAGUM CITY — Not once or twice but thrice. Yes, she emphatically did it three times. In eight minutes, the Department of Interior and Local Government assistant provincial director Janet Palmera scolded journalists on Friday morning while they were on coverage for the inauguration of the first operation of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Tagum City.

The room was jam-packed as top government officials attended the memorable event of the region with the presence of Governors Jayvee Tyrone Uy of Compostela Valley, EdqinI. Jubahib of Davao del Norte, Ednar Dayanghirang representing Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and other top military and police officers of the region.

Palmera was tasked to call the names of former rebels also present during the same event to receive the monetary incentives for the firearms they turned-over when they surrendered.

Journalists and photographers took photos of the turn-over of checks, when suddenly Palmera reprimanded them as saying, “Media partners, bawal mo manguha og pictures sa mga surenderees. Dili pwede makita ilang nawong. (media partners, you are prohibited from taking photos on the surrenderees, their faces cannot be shown).”

Everyone was flatfooted, there was silence for few seconds, but as she continued calling the beneficiaries, she incessantly told media persons, “media partners bawal magkuha og pictures. Sa sunod dili na mo imbitahon (Media partners, it is prohibited to take photos, next time we will not invite you anymore).”

But a radio reporter answered, “Mam, kabalo mi ana (Mam, we know that)”.

But Palmera was insistent and seemed to threaten the media practitioners by saying, “Media partners bawal magkuha og pictures. Kung naa gani nawong mogawas -pangitaon ta gyud mo, di ba sir? (media partners,  you are prohibited to take photos. If we will see a photo showing their face- we will look for you, isn’t it sir?),” apparently addressing it to his provincial director, a certain Bernasor.

It was unfortunate that the said official uttered such statement in the midst of an important public function.

Unknown to Palmera, were those Davao-based journalists and other press groups present, who had also been trained regarding protocols and standards of reporting especially in covering conflict-related issues and events. Prohibitive photos are also included in such guidelines.

Ruth Palo, President of the AFP-PNP Press corp said, “The act she displayed was uncalled and very unprofessional. She treated us like kids with such an embarrassing gesture.  We certainly follow standards on reporting and we have been covering minor victims and rebel returnees turn-over ceremony, and, we police our own ranks.”

Editha Caduaya, President of the Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) described Palmera’s attitude as “an act of arrogance of an abusive and insensitive public servant who deserves to undergo ethical trainings and seminars. It was total disrespect to her position and those top officials present during the occasion.”

“When everyone was talking about peace initiative, you have this officer who cannot even show respect among people. How can she sow peace amid arrogance or conceit in treating media practitioners?” Caduaya lamented.

Hence, the AFP-PNP Press Corp and the MIPC called on competent agencies of government to look into the matter and take corrective measures on such misdemeanor.