Journalist’s van torched in Camiguin

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'PRO 10 assures the public and the media community that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the true cause of the fire,' says Northern Mindanao police spokesperson Major Joann Navarro

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Police teams have been deployed to the tourist island of Camiguin after unidentified persons torched a van owned by journalist Dr. Manny Jaudian on Friday morning, May 9.

Northern Mindanao police spokesperson Major Joann Navarro said Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 chief Brigadier General Jaysen also ordered the deployment of a team from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) to Camiguin to handle the investigation.

Major General Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division, ordered troops of the Army 58th Infantry Battalion to secure the safety of Jaudian, executive director and past president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club and its training arm, the COPC journalism Institute.

Navarro said that based on the initial police investigation, the suspects torched the Toyota Grandia parked beside the house of Jaudian in his hometown, Sagay, at around 2 am Friday morning. She said the suspects fled right away after setting fire to the vehicle.

She said the left front portion sustained heavily damage but no one was hurt in the incident.

“PRO 10 assures the public and the media community that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the true cause of the fire,” Navarro said.

Jaudian said police investigators found a bottle of vinegar that smelled of gasoline beside the van. He, his staff, and his relatives were asleep in the house when the suspects came.

Although he was shaken, Jaudian said he had declined offers from the police to escort him back to Cagayan de Oro.

“Nobody can drive me away from my home. I came here to vote and I intend to do that on Monday,” Jaudian said.

Jaudian is a political figure in Camiguin. In 2013, he ran but lost in his bid for Camiguin congressman under political part of Padayon Demokratikong Pilipino of the late Senator Nene Pimentel, against the political clan of the Romualdos.

He hosts a radio program “Kalandrakas” aired on social network by Mindanao Daily News and is also executive director of COPC Journalism Institute that trains aspiring reporters and photographers in Cagayan de Oro.

The burning of the van incident has sent a chilling effect among media practitioners. Menzie Montes, news director of RMN-dxCC Cagayan de Oro said their team will no longer cover Camiguin because of the tense situation there.

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club condemned what it called a “cowardly” attack.

“We will not be cowed by this act of  terrorism against the free press. We shall continue to do our duty in informing the public and our mandate as the fourth estate,” the press club said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Cagayan de Oro chapter said in a statement the attack was so “brazen and clearly threatens the life of Jaudian.”

Frank Rosete, NUJP-Cagayan de Oro chair, said Jaudian’s van had clear “MEDIA” markers to establish itself as a media vehicle.

Rosete said prior to the incident, Jaudian had been discussing the impacts of political dynasties and vote-buying in Camiguin.

In an interview with Brigada News FM in Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo denied his family was involved in the incident. He called on their political opponents to avoid casting Camiguin, a peaceful tourist island, in a bad light.

He urged all parties to await the outcome of the police investigation. – Rappler.com