A BROADCAST journalist, who was allegedly threatened by a police officer, received death threats from an unknown person via text messages.
Norman Mendoza, 43, of radio dySS Super Radyo received the messages last Saturday night from the texter (09351675945), who told him he would not live to observe All Souls’ Day.
The journalist’s plight occurs during the broadcasters’ celebration of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Month and a few days before the Cebu Press Freedom Week opens.
Mendoza is the president of the Association of Reporters in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu in Truth and Excellence.
“Yabng mo igso b4 ko I-transfer sa ibang lugar tumbahon ka namin ng boss ko kc korap ka na leader ka mga media lapu. Lapu-Lapu until all souls day ka na lang panid an ka namo gasunod rami imu luyo para tumba ka na condolence (You’re a show off, brother. Before I get transferred to other place, my boss and I will gun you down because you are a corrupt leader of the media covering Lapu-Lapu City. You’ll live only until All Souls’ Day. We are monitoring you. We are following you from behind. You will be dead. Condolence),” the message read.
Another threat
The second message stated: “Igsu nandto lng kami sa likod mo nagsubaybay sa mga lakad mo nag antay ng timing para tumba ka na para sa amo namin d2 lapu corrupt ka na leader sa mga media ng lapu tinirahan mo amo namin sa radyo pwes cegi lintik lang walang ganti yabang mo cge ubusan ng lahi (Bro, we’re right behind you, watching you and waiting for the time to kill you for our boss. Here in Lapu-Lapu, you’re a corrupt leader of the media. You attacked our boss, so we’ll go after you and your kin).”
Mendoza said the threats are vexing his family and he planned to report this to the police, including Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) Director Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot.
Last Sept. 7, Mendoza was threatened by SPO2 Esnang Sarrapudin, who accused the reporter of recording him in a video during a demolition.
Two unidentified men later went looking for him in his house.
“Ingon man diri nga before ka-transfer, tumbahon ka namo. Usa ra ka number pero hibaw-an na kinsa ni siya (The message says that before the transfer, they’d kill me),” Mendoza told Sun.Star Supervoxpop.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño had ordered an investigation on the incident and Sarrapudin may face transfer outside Central Visayas if it is proven he threatened the journalist.
One of the possible places the officer may be transferred to is the Cordillera Administrative Region in northern Luzon.
For his part, Sarapuddin said he just asked the reporter to show his identification card and described the latter as arrogant.
Mendoza said he is not sure if he will request the police for security, but he said he will change his usual route and relocate his family.
