NEWSFLASH

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AFP THREATS STOP PRO-ERAP RALLY COVERAGE

Manila, April 30, 2001 - After seeing six armored personnel carriers ominously "guarding" its tower on Commonwealth Ave., the Iglesia ni Cristo-owned Net 25, a cable TV station, and its sister radio station, DZEC, today terminated their five-day non-stop coverage of the protest actions at the EDSA Shrine.

The order to stop coverage came after a meeting between INC leaders led by its executive minister Eraño Manalo and Arroyo's allies composed of Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. at the INC main office in Commonwealth ave., Quezon City shortly after launch.

Net 25 and its radio stations DZEC (AM) and DWDM (FM) resumed regular programming.

DZEC's anchors suddenly calmed down. Totoy Talastas, one of Estrada's fiercest defenders at DZEC, even defended President Arroyo saying she ordered that a better bed and a refrigerator be provided for Estrada's cell.

Talastas, in the evening edition of his program "Liwanagin Natin" over DZEC, said the original intent of the EDSA III rally had been muddled by calls to topple the Arroyo government and to storm Malacañang.

"Hindi lahat iyan pinapayagan ng Iglesia. Ang Iglesia ay sumasang-ayon sa paggamit ng karapatang mag-rally pero kung wala sa lugar yun ang pinag-aalala ng Iglesia," Talastas said.

He said the purpose of the rally had been met and it is time to pursue more peaceful and legal means. "Tutal naka-anim na araw na ito at kung may dapat ipahayag ay naipahayag na. Kung anuman ang bagay na makabubuti kay Presidente Estrada, sang-ayon ako...Sapat na iyon. Tama na iyong ilang araw, kung aabutin ng buwan baka hindi na tayo maiintindihan ng tao at nakaperwisyo na," he added.

An official of the INC said that Ka Erdie Manalo, head of the church, agreed to stop reporting on the events, but would not divulge the reasons for doing so. It was revealed at Malacanang later that Justice Secretary Hernani Perez met with Manalo.

Independent sources also speculated that Manalo was subtly asked to own up to the massing of the members of the INC to EDSA starting in the morning of April 25.

One such source said: "Why is it duty to God and country to go to EDSA when summoned by Cardinal Jaime Sin and treachery if the members of the INC troop to the same shrine?"

It was felt that Manalo may have found ending coverage a better alternative than owning up to something he has claimed he never had anything to do with in the first place.

Members of the INC, like the followers of Mike Velarde's El Shaddai, have maintained that they go to EDSA in sympathy with former President Estrada and not on the orders or prodding of their leaders.

The opposition Puwersa ng Masa accused the Arroyo government of pressuring the Iglesia ni Cristo to stop covering the protests.

Opposition spokesman Crispin Remulla said the National Telecommunications Commission threatened Net 25 and DZEC that their franchises will be suspended or revoked if they continued covering the protests.

"It is virtual martial law," Remulla said.

Informed of the withdrawal of Net 25 and DZEC from the coverage, Ruperto Nicdao Jr., president of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas, said he will call the group to a meeting to hammer out a position.

He explained that the association has to determine whether termination of the coverage was a decision freely reached by Manalo or made under government threats.

"That is their decision," Nicdao said. It is entirely another matter if Manalo terminated coverage under duress, he said, but did not say what the KBP would do if it turns out that the withdrawal was made because of threats.

He would not comment on the presence of armored personnel carriers around the Net 25 tower.

Amado "Jake" Macasaet, chairman-president of the Philippine Press Institute, said the PPI will bring a possible case of press freedom suppression to the International Press Institute based in Switzerland. He also said that as former director, he would also call the attention of the World Association of Newspapers if the government tries harassment tactics on print media.

With Manalo's withdrawal of coverage, the events at EDSA have been left without a source of coverage.

The ABS-CBN and GMA networks have not shown even half the enthusiasm they manifested in EDSA II that forced Estrada out of power.

INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago said Perez and company promised that the Arroyo government would intensify its pursuit of pro-poor programs and would guarantee Estrada's safety and welfare.

"Binigyan nila tayo ng assurance na aasikasuhin ang kalagayan ng dating Pangulong Estrada. Ngayon ay mabibigyan ng kauukulang atensyon ang kanyang kalusugan," Santiago said during Talastas' program.

He said Iglesia members at EDSA have started packing up. "Kusa silang umuwi (dahil) kusa rin silang pumunta roon. Hindi po natin sila pinigilang pumunta (at) di natin sila opisyal na pinupunta roon," he added.

On the outrage over Estrada's arrest, Perez said: "We informed the hierarchy of the INC that under the separation of powers the executive department could not interfere with the functions of the judicial department."

"But the Arroyo government is a compassionate government and would want to see that the former President, although he's facing charges, is in good health and therefore government is interested in having him physically examined and take care of his health. Aside from that we informed him (Manalo) that all constitutional rights of the former President shall be guaranteed," he said.

He added that Manalo told him to tell Arroyo that "they have no intention of toppling the government and in fact they would protect this government against anyone who would try to topple President Arroyo."

President Arroyo confirmed that she met with El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde. She did not divulge the results of their meeting, saying it was "confidential" on Velarde's request. (Malaya)