Broadcaster receives threatening text messages
CMFR/Philippines—A radio broadcaster in Camarines Norte received a series of threatening text (SMS) messages last 19 and 21 January 2013. Camarines Norte is approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Manila.
The text messages threatened Fenix for being critical. One text message read, “Walang makakaligtas sa iyo, your time is coming (No one can save you, your time is coming).”
Rommel Fenix received the text messages around 11:44 AM (local time) after his Saturday radio program at dzAu-AM.
His program “Public Power”airs weekdays, 9 to 10:30 A.M., and Saturdays, 10 to 11 A.M.
The first text message sent through +639198357715 said that Fenix would go to hell and that he is bopis, a dish of finely chopped pig lungs and heart (similar to saying Fenix is “dead meat”). Fenix posted the exchange of text messages on social media along with his list of possible motives behind the threats.
CMFR tried to call the number but it was no longer in service.
Fenix told CMFR in a phone interview that he replied to the text messages hoping to learn the identity of the sender. After an exchange of messages, Fenix speculated that the sender might be an ally of Camarines Norte governor Edgardo Tallado. He reported the incident to the police the next day, 20 January 2013.
CMFR tried to get the side of Tallado last 23 January 2013 but he was unavailable for an interview.
Fenix is a known critic of Tallado. In his radio program he reported that an article in the tabloid Pilipino Mirror linked an unnamed governor from Bicol with the “Atimonan 13”. The article was about an unnamed governor who allegedly sold gold bars and diamonds to the group of criminals  killed in an encounter in the town of Atimonan, province of Quezon (about 2 hours away from Camarines Norte).
The encounter in Atimonan happened last 16 January 2013 between the group of suspected illegal gambling kingpin Vic Siman and the police. The incident left 13 people dead. An investigation on the incident is on-going. (http://net25.tv/de-lima-no-shootout-in-atimonan/)
Fenix said that he was able to record a radio interview in which Tallado said that whoever would link him (Tallado) to the Atimonan incident would regret it.
Another issue Fenix discussed on his radio program was small-scale mining in the province. Fenix said he filed a Petition for Continuing Mandamus in which he asked the court to order Tallado to act upon the rampant illegal mining activities in the town of Labo in the province. Residents near the mining area had asked Fenix for help because of the destruction illegal mining activities had caused.
It was not the first time that Fenix had received threats. Last 5 December 2012, Agustin Mago, who Fenix said is also Tallado’s ally, allegedly told dzAU-AM station manager Noli Bañaria that Tallado and his provincial legal officer, lawyer Sim Mata, had “a plan” against Fenix. The threat was immediately reported to the police.
Prior to Mago’s threat, Mata also allegedly told Fenix last 19 January 2012 that the army will kill him (Fenix). This was followed by the shutdown of dwSR-POWER Radio in 21 January 2012 where Fenix worked.
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Mr. Rommel Fenix became a bitter critic of Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo A. Tallado after his (Fenix’s) demand to have control of the gold-rich mining area in Brgy. Sta.Rosa Sur in Jose Panganiban town was turned-down by the governor. Fenix campaigned for Tallado in the 2010 polls and asked for control of the area as “reward” for his services. The writer of the news item that appeared in the Pilipino MIrror used Mr. Fenix as source and what can be expected from a bitter person but misinformation? It is now very clear that Gov. Tallado was not involved in any way to the alleged shoot-out in Atimonan, Quezon, proof that Mr. Fenix was peddling lies when he talked to the Pilipino Mirror reporter. With regards the closure of radio station DWSR -Power Radio, it was ordered shut by the NTC because it didn’t have the necessary permits and licenses to operate a radio broadcast station. Gov. Tallado was in no way involved in the radio station’s closure. As a matter of fact, DWSR-Power Radio was able to start operation despite not having the needed NTC requirements because of Gov. Tallado’s intercession on its behalf with the NTC on condition that the station owner will comply with the requirements. The NTC acted accordingly when the owner failed to keep his word. Mr. Fenix is a congenital liar; he has been involved in various criminal activities including extortion. He is an ingrate because it was Gov Tallado, at that time still a vice governor, who helped him when Gov. Jesus Typoco slapped him with a criminal case. Mr. Fenix moved around the province using Mr. Tallado’s personal vehicle, ate meals provided by Tallado, and readily accepted money from Mr. Tallado to tide him over during his times of troubles. Mr. Tallado even lent Fenix the title to one of his farmland for use as property bond in case he (Fenix) got arrested by the police. I suggest that CMFR look deeper into the character of this Rommel Fenix so that in the interest of fairness Gov. Tallado’s good name won’t be besmirched by this pseudo-mediaman.
Thank you for your comment Mr. Vito. CMFR tried to interview Mr. Tallado and get his side on the matter but was turned down.
Mr. Ricardo M. Vito is the government radio station’s in charge by Gov. Tallado in Camarines Norte operating at the expense of tax payer’s money, but their services as public radio station serve’s only on Tallado’s interest not to the interest of the general public, they are using million of funds in electricity, salaries and other’s thru public funds.
All of mr. vito’s allegation’s are intend to give a false impression to mr. fenix, the people’s of Camarines Norte know’s the truth, the present issues confronting our province are:
UNDECLARED MARTIAL LAW EXISTENCE
1. Media Repression and Exploitation – Tallado’s media plan is to control all media outlet’s in the province using provincial government funds allocating advertising fund, resulting to the management always vow to the governor, and media outlet not cooperating to his interest, he tried to shutdown thru NTC intervention using his influence as administration party member (liberal). 3 Radio station’s are already victimized of Tallado’s act to suppress media freedom in the province (1. DWAT-102.1 mhz FM, 2. DWSR Power Radio 94.1 mhz FM, 3. DZAU 1071 khz AM).
2. Rampant Environmental Destruction and Plundering of Natural Resources – thru his personal involvement in mining transactions and activities using dummies like Mr. Nonie Besa the small scale mining permit holder issued by him (Tallado), but the mining operation are using sophisticated heavy equiptment like the activities of a large scale mining company. The illegal mining activities resulting to worsen peace and order situation’s in mining area’s, death’s of miners, presence of rampant illegal drug trade in mining areas, gun running activities. This are the reason why the office of the late DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo act on the complaints by several NGO’s, Civic Society, Individuals and like Mr. Fenix as an environmental activist.
3. Anti-worker’s policy (Abuse of authority) – Illegal dismissal of 47 provincial government employees and 3 head of offices, Tallado continues defying the civil service return to work order.
4. Questionable project implementation
5. Debt driven fiscal management
6. Series of summary executions and Human Rights Violations
7. Mining related killings and other issues against peole’s interests.
8. Maintaining private armed group using former cafgu member’s headed by Ronnie Bardon.
According to some environmentalist:
A- Economic activity should not only be efficient in its use of resources but should also be socially just, and environmentally and ecologically sustainable.
B- If the production of any commodity necessitates the sacrifice of human life, society should do without that commodity, but it cannot do without that life.
Thank you very much to CMFR, more power!