Press Release
June 18, 2008

SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON'S STATEMENT REGARDING THE SAFE RELEASE OF CES DRILON AND CREW

I am glad and relieved that our friend ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and driver Angelo Valderama were released safely last night. We join her family in rejoicing her safe return.

We appreciate the vital role media plays in covering areas of conflict because without their reports our people will not have a true appreciation of the situation and its implication on their lives. Nevertheless, we must reiterate that media venturing in areas where there is conflict should take extra-ordinary caution and heed the advice of government authorities for their own sake. We also appeal to members of armed political groups not to harm or attack members of the media as they are only trying to do their jobs. Furthermore, any violence on the media will work against their cause and in certain instances; cause them to be branded as terrorists or plain bandits. It will be a case where the actions of a few will unfairly harm our peaceful and law abiding Muslim brothers, possibly impairing the realization of the just causes of the Muslim movement in our country.

We also appeal to our soldiers, especially as they launch manhunt operations and other offensives against lawless elements in Sulu, to take special care so as not to harm civilians. The Philippine National Red Cross will do its part to bring help to those who may be affected.

We continue to hope to see the day when our hopes are fulfilled and we see peace reign in all areas of conflict in Mindanao. Kung maaari, ibaba na natin ang lahat ng armas natin at magkaisa tayo, lalo na sa Sulu. Kapag nagkaruon ng kapayapaan sa Sulu, I think maraming pupunta doon. Ang gaganda ng mga tourism destination sa Sulu. And I pray that one day, at least in my life time, makita natin yung mga beaches ng Sulu, yung mga island sa Sulu na punong-puno ng hotel at tao.

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