A terrified woman gestures to her neighbors as black smoke rises September 12, 2013 in Santa Catalina village in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where security forces are battling Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 12, 2013) – A rookie television reporter who was covering a huge fire set off Thursday by rebels in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines found himself homeless after learning that his house was among those razed in the blaze.
“Nireport ko ang malaking sunog na kagagawan ng MNLF! Pati bahay ko dinamay nyo! Mga walang puso! Kakabangon ko pa lang pero zero na naman ako. Wala akong naisalbang gamit. Lord, please give me strength,” said Albert Luna, who works for TV-11. (“I was reporting the blaze blamed on the MNLF, but they also burned my house. They are heartless. I was just beginning to rise and now I am back to zero. I have not saved any single belonging. Lord, give me strength.”)
The huge fire in Santa Catalina village broke out as security forces clashed with Moro National Liberation Front rebels who occupied at least 4 villages here on September 9 and took over 100 people hostage and use them as shield.
The news came as a shock for Luna, who was covering the crisis since day one, and also among his friends and other local journalists.
The news came as a shock for Luna, who was covering the crisis since day one, and also among his friends and other local journalists. Luna has been covering the violence in the frontlines without any safety equipment, but only his desire to bring the news to the public.
Just like Luna, many local journalists also cover the frontlines without body armor or Kevlar helmet – either because their outfit has no safety equipment or simply would not buy because its expensive – but some managed to buy using personal funds and others simply borrowed from military friends. (Mindanao Examiner)
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