Independence, colonizers, and abduction

Today is the 110th anniversary of the Philippine independence. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! (Long live the Philippines!) .

Chief Justice Renato Puno, however, believes we still have colonizers- economic colonizers, that is.

***

What happens when the messenger gets caught in the cross-fire? I find the recent kidnappings in the Philippines very relevant to the Deutsche-Welle Global Media Forum on Peacebuilding and and Conflict Prevention I attended last week. Probably this situation adds another dimension in the picture which we can call conflict-involvement. Traditional journalists' roles are evolving. They are going beyond the sidelines of events, however, not much as a matter of choice. In addition to Ces Drilon, a prominent Filipino newscaster, her crew and a university professor serving as their guide.