It's been a week since the incident in the Manila Pen. Presently, Trillianes and his men, including civilians with them in the siege, are kept in Camp Bagong Diwa as they are trialed at court for rebellion. And last night, after deciding to watch the news, I was lucky enough to be one of those late night TV enthusiast who are watching the PROBE....
Last night's Probe features the unseen footage of the Standoff in Makati, starting with the walk out of Sen. Trillianes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim from the court. It may have appeared to be rash but as I saw the supposed civilians joining them and later on putting on red bands with the Magdalo symbol, I was intrigued (was it really rash or planned?)
There was a call for change by the two men of the hour.....
And there were those who followed....
Everyone was surprised at the action done by Sen. Trillianes' group especially as they entered the Manila Pen. The next scenes became more tense as Sr. Supt. Jaime Calunsod came in to convince the group to surrender and PNP Dir. Geary Barrias was there to tell the civilians, including the media to get out. This was followed by phone calls to the media men in the Pen, from their respected offices, to get out.
There were media men who came out and found the group of armed soldiers getting ready for the war. But with some media men, still many decided to remain including known faces like Fr. Robert Reyes who said that though he's not part of Trillianes' group, he'll still stay there with them.
Media men seems to be everywhere. There were those waiting for further statement from Trillianes, those by the fire exit shooting a video of the tank trying to break in the pen, and those posted by the upper lobby with some Magdalo Soldiers, securing the media after they have heard the warning shot, assuring them that the men outside cannot, of course, risk the lives of the remaining civilians (media). But they were wrong for sooner than they have said it tear gas was thrown in....
The next scenes were chaotic as media men gets a dose of tear gas, covering their noses with damped towels, as they suffered from its inevitable effect . It was also because of this scene, plus the continuous shooting of the AFP outside that Sen. Trillianes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim decided to surrender.
They were coming out alright, but with the second shot of tear gas, the group, with the media, went back to the Rizal room where Trillianes' group had engaged themselves while in the Pen. With everyone packed in the room like sardines, and with the news from the few media men who first came out, the whole room began to feel tensed that the divisions of networks were forgotten (who cares who gets the exclusive). At that point the media men helped each other with their equipments, hiding whatever piece of equipment they can hide (including cellphones), as news from outside came to them, warning of confiscations.....
Confiscations? Why were the SAF (Special Action Force), confiscating the media equipment.
As I further watched the footage, I can't help but pity the media, including Trillianes' group and the civilians who stood with them, as they are escorted out of the Rizal room. It was indeed very disappointing to see how the SAF acted towards the group--their bombarding command, the guns, and their not so considerate attitude, as the group is commanded to go down the stairs with the whole pen dark. One of the camera man, present in the group even turned on the lights of his camera with the Bishop, assisted by Lim and Fr. Reyes, and others more, going down the stairs. But this too faced the angry command of the group's escorts which ended with the lights being turned off.
Everyone was treated like criminals. The media, who were just doing their job, even faced the cruel reality that their freedom to express had gone to chains that very moment. With Sen. Trillianes, led first outside the pen, the media were left to defend their rights which ended with cuffed hands and a ride at the bus to Camp Bagong Diwa.
At that moment I felt a chill--a chill which I never thought I could feel at the staggering sight of the media. But with the thrilling chill also comes the spirit of brotherhood as I saw the media men's unity, especially with other media men, as they are parked outside the said camp, handing boxes of water and packs of food to those in the bus.
There are some situations that, though we may find it as unreasonable or foolhardiness yet in the end will serve its purpose. Everything is willed by God. As I've always believed, everything, even a disappointing situation is a blessing....
I've seen what I need to see....A proof of what is evidently still protected by those who claim the power over the law, instead of abiding it.
The media has shown strength during the time when their necks seems to be tied up. I pray that their freedom will not submerged into frailty like what history has shown us....
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