Well, call me ignorant, but if I was one of those soldiers, I would also arrest Ces Drilon and Tordesillas. I have heard of them, but I don’t know what do they look like. Hahaha. I read the newspapers and I listen to the news, but I guess I don’t really pay much attention to the reporters.

In any case, of course you have a point there, but that’s peeking through the lenses of the police. Even if there’s good reason for the arrest to sift through the media and look for Magdalo soldiers, I don’t see the point of (1) handcuffing them, (2) arresting Ces Drilon, Tordesillas and a whole slew of other journalists whom one only needs a pair of eyes to identify and (3) stealing/destroying/confiscating their video tapes. Clearly there’s a more pertinent reason beneath this arrests, don’t you think?

Thanks ulet Gian. =)

While I do not deny the fact that the government over-reacted during this siege (One cannot blame Arroyo, however, as we cannot afford to have another uprising that will dramatically hurt our economy), I cannot help but oppose your opinion.

I think that, just like what you have said, it is just a matter of priorities. For me, the mere fact that some of these coward soldiers dressed up in civilian clothing to blend in with the media men is testament to the argument that these journalists became Trillanes and company’s shields (or, should I say, camouflage). These reporters were used by these rebels to hide from the authorities.

When an order was given, telling all journalists to go out of the Manila Pen, it was assumed that everyone who remained inside were members of the Magdalo–or, at least, accomplices. This may not be true, but this is the most logical assumption to make. It is therefore necessary to arrest everyone who was found inside the vicinity–and with good reason, too, as Magdalo soldiers were in their midst.

But, then again, it is a matter of priority as to whose duty should be first accomplished.