MASBATE CITY– Lehitimo at walang kulay pulitika o media harassment ang isinampang kasong murder laban sa dalawang media workers ng DyME radio station sa lalawigan ng Masbate.
Sa pahayag ni Ruben Fuentes, presidente ng Masbate Quad Media Society, Inc., kanyang sinabi na batay sa information na isinampa ni Provincial Prosecutor Jeremias Mapula sa Cataingan Regional Trial Court Branch 49 noong Hulyo 2, 2024, ang mga kasong kinakaharap nina Benjamin Gigante alyas ‘Ka Ben’ at Jhay Alfaro alyas ‘Ka DJ’ na umano’y renegade member ng MQMSI, kasama sina Bernie Naraja alyas ‘Ka Rem’ at Reymund Dosdos alyas ‘Ka RM’ ay may kaugnayan sa pagpatay sa isang Richard Bauso noong Abril 6, 2024 sa Barangay Taverna, Cawayan.
Sa criminal complaint na may docket no. NPS V-12-PEO78-24E-078 ay nakasaad na nakitaan ng probable cause ang akusasyon kaya ito ay isinumite ng piskalya sa korte.
Nabatid na ang pagkakadawit ng mga akusadong sina Gigante at Alfaro sa naturang kaso ay dahil pinaghihinalaang may koneksyon ang mga ito sa armadong komunistang grupo.
Ang mga dahilan nito ay ang kanilang pagbabalita at pagbabahagi ng mga pahayag ng kilusan sa social media sa pamamagitan ng isang Luz Del Mar, na umano’y kilalang miyembro ng makakaliwang grupo.
Ayon kay Fuentes, walang kinalaman ang pulitika sa Masbate sa naturang kaso ng tinawag niyang renegade member ng samahan na kanyang pinamumunuan.
“Linawin ko lang na walang katotohanan ang naunang ulat sa pahayagang nasyunal na media harassment ang dahilan ng pagsampa ng murder case kasi dalawa sa akusado ng nasabing kaso ay mga kilalang supporter ni Gov. Antonio Kho, ang sinasabing pulitiko na nag-udyok sa pamilya ng biktima na maghain ng reklamo,” mariing pahayag ni Fuentes.
Nilinaw pa ni Fuentes na isa siya sa naghain noon ng kaso laban kay Gov. Kho, “pero nadismis na ng Ombudsman ang mga asunto dahil sa walang pag-sang ayon ang Commission on Audit sa mga detalye ng aking mga bintang,
maging sa proseso ng paghain ko ng asunto.
Ayon kay Fuentes. ang mga kamag-anak at awtoridad ang nagsampa ng reklamo sa mga ito sa piskalya na inaksyunan at iniakyat sa korte.
“Hinihikayat ko ang aking mga kasamahan sa MQMSI na ‘wag sana tayong magpapagamit sa away ng mga pulitika at panatiliin natin ang balanse a oatas na pag-uulat at wag natin ipagamit ang ating propesyon sa kasinungalingan ng isang pulitiko para lang siraan ang kanyang kalaban,”mariing panawagan ng pangulo ng MQMSI sa kanyang mg miyembro.
The recent, horrifying murder of Ahldryn Bravante has shattered our collective conscience, shedding light on the dire need for justice and accountability in our society. This tragic event, involving criminology students, has exposed a disturbing facet of our nation and the institutions that are meant to mold responsible citizens. As we grapple with the loss of a promising young life, it is crucial that we scrutinize the culpability of all parties involved and demand tangible actions to prevent such heinous acts from recurring in the future.
First and foremost, the perpetrators of this unspeakable crime must face the full weight of our legal system. Ahldryn Bravante’s agony was not only a heart-wrenching tragedy but a profound betrayal of trust within the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity. These individuals have tarnished the very principles they should have held dear as criminology students and future members of our nation’s military and uniformed services.
The Philippine College of Criminology must act promptly and decisively by expelling these individuals and forbidding them from pursuing careers in the military and uniformed services. Acts as cruel as this have no place in institutions meant to uphold the highest standards of discipline and honor. We must send an unequivocal message that human rights violators and murderers have no place in our security forces.
Yet, accountability does not rest solely with the perpetrators. It extends to the institutions that may have failed to prevent this tragedy. Manila Rep. Joel Chua’s call for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to launch an exhaustive investigation into the administrative liability of the Philippine College of Criminology is justified. We must ensure that this institution neither tolerated nor encouraged hazing rituals that culminated in this horrific incident.
Furthermore, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Quezon City government must investigate and ascertain the administrative liability of the property owner where the hazing occurred and the local barangay in which it transpired. It is crucial to unearth any complacency, negligence, or complicity in permitting such perilous activities.
Accountability doesn’t end at the local level. The Department of Justice (DOJ) must investigate and establish the liability of the national and local officers of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity. Any potential role they played in fostering a culture that permitted such brutality must not go unpunished.
Moreover, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should scrutinize the corporate responsibility of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity concerning their articles of incorporation. We must determine whether the fraternity’s organizational structure has unintentionally enabled or promoted the continuation of hazing practices.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching tragedy, our nation must unite in the pursuit of justice and accountability. We cannot bring back Ahldryn Bravante, but we can ensure that his untimely death becomes a catalyst for change. It is our collective responsibility to dismantle the toxic culture that permits hazing, ensure institutions act against such practices and hold those involved accountable. Only then can we truly honor the memory of Ahldryn Bravante and prevent further senseless loss of life.
Tragically, Bravante’s passing marks the second within eight months, following the devastating death of John Matthew Salilig, a student from Adamson University. In February, Salilig, also a neophyte of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, suffered fatal injuries during his initiation, subjected to excessive paddling, with reports suggesting he endured approximately 70 strikes. His lifeless body was discovered in an empty lot in Cavite in February, further underscoring the urgent need for reform.
(ai/mnm)