A provincial correspondent of DZRH was allegedly threatened by Abra congressional candidate and La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph “JB” Bernos, a close ally of the Marcos family in Abra.
The incident started when reporter Romy Gonzales covered an incident between police officers and armed groups in Barangay Budac, Tayum, Abra, on April 21.
Gonzales then received a message from Bernos on the same day, calling the reporter irresponsible.
“TAR*NTADO KA ROMY. VERY IRRESPONSIBLE,” said Bernos.
The two then talked via video conference, where Bernos started to threaten Gonzales.
“P*TANG *NA MO, MR. GONZALES. BABALIKAN KITA, P*TANG *NA KA.” the mayor reportedly said.
In an interview, Gonzales admitted that he was afraid for his safety now because of the messages he received from Bernos, a known powerful political clan in Abra.
“Syempre nangangamba, paminsan binabantayan natin likod natin. Baka may sumusunod,” he said. “‘Yung ni-report kasi natin na shooting incident, nangyari sa Tayum. Okay na lang sana ‘yan, kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya, magbigay siya ng report, pwede naman natin i-correct… Pero parang ang kinekwestyon niya, ang grupo nila, ang kinasasama ng loob niya, parang napakasama ko nang reporter,”
“Pwede ko naman i-correct kung may mali, pero ‘yung mumurahin tayo at pagbabantaan pa,” he added.
MBC Media Group, the owner of DZRH, stated that they are ready to hold Bernos accountable for his actions.
“Naninindigan ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na walang puwang ang karahasan at pagbabanta,” they said. “Desidido ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na pananagutin ang nasa likod ng pagbabanta upang hindi maulit ang mga kaparehong sitwasyon na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa isang pag–atake sa malayang pamamahayag,”