Misleading blast headlines

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
11/2/2007



“As has been asserted by many sources, including this writer, reporting can be factual and accurate but still be misleading by the omission of relevant information. To some extent every report whether in print or via the airways, irrespective of length, is "out of context," because inevitably some background material is omitted due to lack of space or time or knowledge. In some instances, these limiting factors not only distort the news report, but impose a view contrary to what actually happened. Including in a report the most relevant information is never easy but is the.” - Charles L. Klotzer, journalism guru.


Reading headlines about the Glorietta II blast made by the main mainstream newspaper, the Inquirer, like “No bomb in mall blast --- US, Aussie experts” the public may be led to conclude that the definitive conclusion to the controversy had been reached. A closer reading of statements of PNP Chief Avelino Razon makes it crystal clear why it is not: "The [US] tests are negative because when the US experts arrived at the blast site, they swabbed the exterior portions or the portions that were not directly at the center, or at the seat, of the explosion. … when the PNP Crime Laboratory personnel conducted their swabs, it was in the general vicinity of the seat of the explosion."

More questions now arise: Wwhy were the American and Aussie “experts” not looking at the seat of the blast? Isn’t it common sense that you go to the areas closest to the center of the blast to get clues from possible residues? Secondly, there indeed was RDX which the early investigating team of the PNP found at the ‘seat of the explosion’ and is still studying at this as Razon himself and other PNP officials are admit up to this time. The PNP’s only explanation is that the RDX samples they picked up could have come from pharmaceuticals or cosmetics – which we now know is absurd as it is very expensive, carcinogenic and rare in any pedestrian setting.

The PNP is making alibis for the presence of RDX at the blast site and not credible reason for its presence there. Repetition of the “cosmetics and pharmaceuticals” source of the RDX does not jibe with what all sources say of it – a substance that is not found in ordinary places and circumstances. The repeated use of the “US and Aussie findings” which is exposed as empty and misleading because of the fact that they swabbed areas far from the source of the blast, then adding an surprise “Israeli Mossad expert” who popped up from nowhere (without providing solid credentials or specific reason why he’s being quoted) – add up to a growing conviction that the PNP is waylaying the truth and the public.

We must also constantly review the timeline of key actions and media events since the Glorietta II blast. Recall the political climate - Gloria was gasping for survival, caught in the pincer of the ZTE scandal, the Joe de Venecia insurrection which is believed to be backed up by U.S. interests (remember the U.S.Aid funded U.P. study lambasting the ZTE contract), the progressive bishops were having a conference to call for Gloria and Noli’s ouster; bets were already being placed on when Gloria would fall. Then the blast came on the same day as bishops were being covered by media and NSA Bert Gonzalez precipitously declared “international terrorists” to be behind the blast.

Following Bert Gonzales is ABS-CBN VP for news and current affairs and so-called “terrorism expert” Maria Ressa saying “only terrorists (like Jemaah Islamiya) or the military” have the capability for the Glorietta II “bombing”, an opinion that carried the weight of a former CNN reporter (or talking head, depending on one’s perspective). People forget how grievously, and one might say stupidly, erroneous Ressa was in 2000 when she was blaming Erap for the FIDEL bombings during the Estrada impeachment. Later, Ressa and everyone else in authority blamed Fathur Al Ghozi, but they’re wrong again there – it was rogue elements in the PNP in cahoots with the Edsa Dos conspirators.

Ressa was part of a “talking heads” parade, ahead of the U.S., Aussie and then Mossad experts, to lead unsuspecting public opinion where the mass psychology manipulators wanted to take it. The “terror” angle was the most effective initial “shock and awe”, as the Magdalo website describes Bert Gonzales’ gimmick, but it could have backfired after Senator Trillanes implicated the National Security Adviser’s. It was then that the regime’s communication or propaganda plan had to shift gears as blame it on an “industrial accident” to de-politicize the incident after having diverted public attention from the crises of the moment. The controlled media then pounced on the early warning made by Trillanes.

It is timely now to ask the Inquirer, which has been at the forefront of criticizing and demeaning (including an editorial cartoon) Senator Trillanes’ valiant alert to the “false flag” incident, why it does not denounce the clearly precipitate, irresponsible and unambiguously misleading public announcement of Bert Gonzales blaming “the terrorists”? What is sauce for Trillanes is not sauce for Norberto? We are just putting everything in context, as Charles L. Kotzer advised. "By doubting we all come at truth." - Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.) Roman Philosopher

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