Early this Sunday, 25 July evening, TV Channel 5 featured in their program “USI” a segment titled: “Daliri sa Gatilyo” or something like that, meaning trigger finger. Host was Paolo Bediones.
Opening scene was in a depressed area that showed street urchins playing war games with toy guns, hinting its negative influence on the minds of the young. Next scene showed young adults showing real guns, one admitting that he uses guns during holdups, saying that he has no qualms using it if the victim resists. When short of cash, he sells these guns to willing buyers. He added that it is easy to buy one of you know the source. For those who cannot afford one, sumpak and other improvised firearms are available and simple to make. These weapons are necessary for their “trade” and for use during frequent gang wars. These are their “tools of power”.
Next is a somewhat lengthy interview with our favorite anti-gunner: Pacheco, who mouthed his usual line of “we are not against gun ownership, as long as you leave your guns at home”. At least he was consistent. But does he know that there are more crimes committed outside our homes?
The program feebly tried to create a balanced view by featuring Sonny Parsons, who talked about his experience where he preserved his and the lives of his household with the help of a gun. Then statistics where cited, showing most gun related crimes were committed with unlicensed firearms.
Host Paolo Bediones then tried his hand in firing three popular handguns, one shotgun and one M16 carbine, after being given a short course by range officers. The way I see it, he is an awkward gun handler. Either it was intentional for this program or he was unable to comprehend the instructions. Whoever wrote the script also needs a crash course on firearms terminology. I noted that the emphasis of this exercise was to show shooting as a fun sport, rather than as a tool for self preservation.
Then the program delved on the infamous cases like those of Cheryl Cosim and the killing of Ebarle Jr., allegedly by Ivler; both examples of irresponsible use of firearms. Transition to an interview with a psychologist that reinforced the program’s hint that the love of guns is macho pursuit.
I am not a professional print or media critic. These are just my opinion of what I saw, my few pesos worth. But biased views like these casts a negative image on us legitimate gun owners. Perhaps we should demand equal time.
How about a letter to the show host?
What’s the name of the show and what channel?
TV Channel 5, owned by TonyBoy Cojuangco. Show is “USI” hosted by Paolo Bediones, shown every Sunday at about 6:00 pm. Producer is Luchi Cruz-Valdez.
Wikipedia says tycoon Manny Pangilinan is also one of the owners of ABC TV-5. Check out
http://pinoy-ako.info/index.php/USI-Under-Special-Investigation/usi-under-special-investigation-25-july-10.html
Watch the show, draw your own opinions. Let’s consolidate our thoughts, – input for our letter to ABC-5
Excerpt taken from P-Noy’s SONA this pm. Perhaps we could invoke this to demand equal air time.
“Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.
Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.”
I just watched the program. Terrible. Horribly one-sided and biased in favor of anti-gun.
1. The scenes were STAGED, especially those of the sqyatter kids playing with toy guns.
2. It featured only ISOLATED INCIDENTS OF CRIME AND IMPROPER USE OF FIREARMS. No further responsible ownership of firearms was shown to balance these incidents. Note: Cheryl Cosim who was interviewed, is his PARTNER in the show “Aksyon”.
3. SO are these isolated incidents involving 2-3 criminals an indictment of the entire 1.2 million honest licensed gun owners? BS!
4. The show equated gun ownership solely with KILLING, but ommitted to mention responsible gun ownership such as shooting sports, security, and self-defense.
5. Bediones’ awkward handling of guns was STAGED FOR THE SCREEN to make it appear as if holding or firing a gun was an unnatural and awkward act.
6. In the end, Paolo Bediones called all of us gun owners COWARDS (“duwag”). My answer to him is P*&^%$ mo I hope your wife or daughter gets raped in front of you by criminals. Then let’s see who the coward or stupid person is.
I suggest that we, PROGUN as an organization write the management of ABC-5 expressing our indignation. We can send copies to newspapers and other friendly media.
May araw din kayo mga anti-gun, and you will understand the whole thing.