Table Talk By: Mike S. Apostol Stand up for Mayor Beng and RMN Radio Table Talk is not an avid radio listener but the bloody siege of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in five of the city’s barangays that are all walking distances to the city’s business center and the symbol of the city’s authority, the City Hall, made me glued to RMN Radio AM and FM bands for the latest live blow by blow news of the fatal MNLF attack. The daily activities of the city was halted since September 9 and left isolated to the rest of the country and the only source of information to be kept abreast on the daily dangers and destruction, taken on the spot, where and when it happened can only be heard on Radio RMN AM and FM bands who embedded reporters and correspondents with government forces fighting the MNLF and risking their lives and limb so the city will know what is happening every minute of the siege. Table Talk Salute’s the men and women of RMN Radio and to the many distinguished volunteers who gave their time reporting in the broadcaster’s booth and in the field. Thank you RMN Radio for the splendid dedication and chivalry. *** The broadcast medium is indeed important, because, aside from its wide coverage, reaching even the furthest Nipa hut with battery operated transistor radios, it keeps you informed on any developments within seconds and keeping you safe, alert and secured. RMN Radio EVP Rey Bayoging, did gave the best service of the city by utilizing RMN Radio as a conduit to the country and the world twenty four hours a day from the first day of the siege when the first volley was fired and until this writing when sporadic shooting is still reported in the mangroves of Mariki as reported by Bhong Simbajon who is embedded with marine forces cleaning up the area for MNLF stragglers. RMN Radio Manager Joel Samson, broadcaster Gil Climaco, field reporters Hermi Ventura, Santos Cortez and all the men and women of RMN Radio, to volunteers former Congressman Erbie Fabian, former vice-mayors Mannick Dalipe and Atty. Susan Natividad DeLos Reyes, who all risked their lives in informing the city of this “MNLF private war for a Bangsa Moro Nation” you are all heroes in the city. *** Mayor Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco Salazar, who handled the crisis calmly and effectively assuring and appeasing the hundreds of thousands of evacuees and victims deserves the city’s respect on her firm leadership. Mayor Beng for the entire bloody incident, as head of the city’s almost a million population showed a rare character of “cool under fire”. Had Mayor Beng Climaco Salazar acted emotionally and haphazardly, the city could have been drag into more chaos and confusion as “Anarchy” was already showing it ugly head in the thousands of angry and hungry displaced victims of the MNLF atrocities. The MNLF rebels abused the hospitality of the city after many years of enjoying what Zamboanga City has to offer perhaps this bitter treatment given by the MNLF to the city can now redirect the options of the strong and firm City Mayor Beng Climaco Salazar, to separate “the grain from the chaff” or better still “separate the men from the boys”. MNLF sympathizers and financiers who are staying in the city, earning their livelihood with the blessings of the city government, should now undergo “loyalty measures”. Law abiding Zamboanguenos will not approve an enemy in their neighborhood. There is still a lot for Mayor Beng to accomplish but the people believed in her and the lady Mayor shall succeed. The “acid test” forced by the MNLF against the administration of Mayor Beng in which she has prevailed may one day earned her to be dubbed as the “Iron Lady” of the Philippines. *** Scoop: Back in my primary grades years ago our teacher always said “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Indeed it happened, China’s Premieres Mao Tse Tung and Deng Shiao Ping did not “spare the rod” and now we have over a billion disciplined and law-abiding Chinese. Agree or disagree. ***
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:03:25 +0000
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