Responding to the murder of more than 30 news media people in a massacre in Maguindanao southern Philippines, members of The Filipino Press Group of Sydney launched an appeal today for funds to help relieve some of the pain now experienced by victims’ families.
Funds raised will be delivered to the families through the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPCP), according to Bayanihan News editor-publisher Domingo ‘Nonoy’ Perdon.
Newspaper columnist Neria Soliman said the group would seek further contributions from affiliate organisations of the Philippine Community Council of NSW.
”At least one reporter who died in the massacre had a family of wife and five children,” said NewsPinoy editor Titus Filio, who had lived in the Maguindanao area in his youth. ”News media people do not earn much, so their families must be really suffering.”
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Perdon, who had proposed the appeal as a grave emergency measure, Ms Soliman, Philippine Sentinel editor Dino Crescini, TheFilipinoAustralian web publisher Romy Cayabyab, and Radio Sandigan producer Jaime Pimentel at a special meeting in Rooty Hill this morning, Saturday, November 28.
Donations will be accepted by the Group’s spokesman Jaime Pimentel over the next two weeks, starting Monday, November 30, 2009. Mr Pimentel will open a trust account in the Burwood branch of ANZ Banking for the sole purpose of collecting the donations. Mr Perdon, who has direct connections with officials of the NPCP, will arrange for delivery of funds.
For further details, ring (02) 9744 9966 after hours or (02)9588 8730 work hours.