There is media freedom in Aklan Province -PNP

KALIBO, Aklan- The Aklan Provincial Police Office has maintained that members of the media in Aklan enjoy press freedom and that there are only five major incidents of both media killings and threats recorded in recent memory.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Ufano, deputy chief for operations of the Aklan Provincial Police Office, said that there were no members of the media who were also red-tagged.

The five major cases include the killings of former Bombo Radyo station manager Herson Hinolan and news anchorman Roland Ureta of RMN-DYKR 20 years ago. There are also at least three major harassments and threats reported to some members of the media.

This was the gist of Ufano’s message to Ufano as the Aklan Media celebrated World Press Freedom Day held at the Ati-Atihan Festival Hotel on May 11. The celebration was initiated by the Aklan Media-Citizens Council in cooperation with the Aklan Press Club, Philippine Information Agency-Aklan,  and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Aklan Chapter.

Aside from Ufano, Atty. Darren Mae Esto, who serves as a legal consultant for the AMCC, serves on the panel during the Kapehan sa Aklan, covered live by Kalibo Cable TV Network Inc. Atty. Esto talked about the role of the media in the environment.

Meanwhile, Akeanon News, represented by award winning writer Maria Solita Guzman, has chosen a photo during the AMCC’s photo essay competition.

The chairman of the board of judges is Mel Cortez, the founding president of the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines, and Joe Torres, the director general of the Philippine Information Agency. The first prize went to Danel Casalmer, who took a photo of the sunset in Barangay Pook, Kalibo. The second place went to the photo taken by Ms. Anne Molina, who took the photo of Pandan Hill in Batan, Aklan. Casalmer took home P2,500 cash, and a sack of rice.

He will also enjoy other prizes, such as a trip to Ariel’s Point in Buruanga, Aklan, and a free unli meal at Cherry and Alex Lechon House. Molina, on the other hand, was in second place, winning P1,500 cash and an electric fan.

Her photo entry was also chosen as the Akeanon News choice, worth a P1,000 cash prize. Another special prize went to Ninel Del Pilar, who won best caption by the Boracay Island News Network.