Newsbreak Ed Threatened

Posted by Alecks Pabico 
PCIJ

WE give way to this appeal from a colleague, Marites Vitug, editor-in-chief of Newsbreak, and similarly express our concern for the safety of Glenda Gloria, its managing editor.

Newsbreak Bares Threat

We would like to make public an incident that, we believe, is meant to scare one of our staff members at Newsbreak. While we know that threats come with our job we do not take this lightly.

By letting the public know of this incident, we hope to get the best protection for Ms. Gloria and Newsbreak.

Last night (August 2), at around 8:30 p.m., a wreath meant for the dead was delivered to the family residence of our managing editor, Glenda M. Gloria, in Quezon City. On the ribbon was written, "Condolence from your loving friends." The delivery boy was instructed to give the flowers to Glenda Gloria and that she would know where the deceased is.

Ms. Gloria spoke to the delivery boy and he said that a man in a black car, around 30 years old, bought the wreath from their small flower shop on Araneta Avenue. The man said that he was an employee of the company where Ms. Gloria worked and he gave his address as "Metro Manila." He instructed the delivery boy to go to two addresses: one is Ms. Gloria's old address which is on her Smart cell phone bill and the other is her family address. The man told the delivery boy that it was a rush job and paid P1,000 for the wreath.

The man also gave specific instructions to the delivery boy that if Ms. Gloria were not in the first address, "where she rents," he should proceed to the second address.

Ms. Gloria's recent stories in Newsbreak have to do with the military. In our July 4, 2005 issue, she wrote on the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces as the "number one suspect" in the wiretap scandal. In our latest issue (August 15, 2005), she wrote on the alleged participation of some officers in the 2004 election fraud in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

As managing editor, she also supervises and coordinates reporting of stories.

Marites Danguilan Vitug
Editor in Chief
Tel 687-5523/25
Fax 687-5528
E-mail: marites@newsbreak.com.ph