(CMFR/IFEX) – The following is a CMFR statement: Suspected gambling lord barges into a radio station Misamis Occidental, Southern Philippines – A suspected gambling operator reportedly barged into a local radio station in Ozamiz City and threatened the station’s personnel on January 5. Manuel Francisco, suspected of running a “jai-alai” (illegal gambling operation), barged into […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – The following is a CMFR statement:
Suspected gambling lord barges into a radio station
Misamis Occidental, Southern Philippines – A suspected gambling operator reportedly barged into a local radio station in Ozamiz City and threatened the station’s personnel on January 5.
Manuel Francisco, suspected of running a “jai-alai” (illegal gambling operation), barged into the DXBB radio station demanding to see radio program host Neptalie Batolenio and field reporter Dante Dinglasa.
Francisco, who appeared drunk and upset according to witnesses, said he was irked by Batolenio’s radio program, which had tackled the issue of illegal jai-alai betting in the local province the day before the incident.
DXBB officer-in-charge Marvin Osmeña, who is also a local priest, tried to calm Francisco, while Batolenio and Dinglasa managed to hide.
“You can expose the ‘shabu’ [illegal drug] business, but don’t include ‘masiao’ [jai-alai’s local name]. That’s a form of livelihood, Father. I’m thankful that we talked now because when I come back here, [Batolenio and Dinglasa] will fall,” Osmeña quoted Francisco as saying.
Responding police arrived at the station an hour and a half later to secure the radio station, but Francisco had already left.
Reynaldo Rosal, a reporter for a rival radio station, said that earlier in the day, at about 3:00 p.m. (Manila time), he was approached by an unidentified man who said he worked for Francisco. He was inquiring about the description and whereabouts of Batolenio and Dinglasa.
The man informed Rosal that Francisco planned to accost Batolenio and Dinglasa “to teach them a lesson.” Rosal also quoted the henchman as saying that Francisco was “very angry with the broadcasters for tackling the ‘masiao’ issue on air.”
