Tweet sparks backlash

Veteran journo criticized for tweet about Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – Netizens continue to bash veteran freelance journalist Raisa Robles for her controversial tweet over the plan of incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to open Mindanao to tourism.

Even in her own Facebook page, the bashing is unstoppable with critics calling for Robles to be declared persona non grata or unwanted in Mindanao. “I support (the) movement to declare Raissa Robles persona non grata sa whole island of Mindanao,” wrote Mangobat C Mar on the social media page of the self-proclaimed investigative journalist. 

Ortega Adawag Wel also wrote on Robles’ Facebook page, calling for the same persona non grata declaration on the writer. 

An online petition started by Frederick Alvarez, a native of Mindanao, in change.org is also getting traction with nearly 200 people signing the petition which calls for Robles to apologize for her tweet. “Raissa Robles painted a negative and inaccurate portrait of Mindanao. It is spiteful and speculative, and it will have a significant impact on Mindanao's people. Therefore, she should apologize,” Alvarez said. 

Robles, who writes for the South China Morning Post and other international newspapers, tweeted on June 2: “Apparently, Frasco would like to open Mindanao to tourism. I’m sure the extremist Abu Sayyaf and other bandits would be pleased by the prospects of so many potential kidnap victims. Way to go, Frasco. Prep for ransom negotiations…” 

Sarcastic 

The first to react to Robles' tweet was Kusug Tausug Rep. Shernee Tambut, who has criticized the writer for her tweet. Tambut, a native of Sulu province, wrote a lengthy open letter on June 3, and protested Robles’ tweet and called it “sarcastic.” 

“On behalf of the people of Sulu and other Muslim Mindanao provinces alluded to in your sarcastic June 2nd Twitter post…on the plan of incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco to open up Mindanao to tourism, I strongly protest the ugly picture you project of Mindanao, particularly its Muslim provinces, as the stronghold of kidnappers and bandits. I am utterly dismayed that a journalist like you, with connections to international papers, would carelessly suggest in a public forum like Twitter that tourists in Mindanao will be sitting ducks for kidnappers and other criminals. That is totally untrue. Mindanao is peaceful and progressive and its Muslim provinces are doing their best to contribute to our nation’s growth,” Tambut said. 

“I do not hold it against you that you are strongly opposed to the incoming administration; we are free to side with whoever we believe in. But, as a responsible journalist, you are duty-bound to put fairness and facts before your biases. Your overpowering dislike for the President-elect should not give you a reason to pass unfounded judgment on policies that are yet to be implemented; neither should it give you a license to make false assumptions that mock the efforts of the Muslim Mindanao provinces to maintain peace and stability so that they can draw in investors and tourists. Please do not spread falsehoods and damage the achievements of the Muslim Mindanao provinces to keep the peace,” she added. 

Tambut said she would like to give Robles an opportunity to experience the peacefulness of some southern Mindanao provinces by inviting her to visit Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga City to see for herself the peace and order situation there. 

“I am inviting you to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga City at any date suitable for you. I will personally accompany you there so you can see for yourself how the people live in peace in these places and how they work hard to earn a living. Should you decide to take up my offer, kindly contact my office in Congress and my staff will promptly relay your message to me,” Tambut said. 

BARMM 

A Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Amir Mawallil also reacted to Robles’ tweet and said: “I hope you find time to visit Mindanao and see for yourself that it is more than just terrorism, or the Abu Sayyaf Group. Mindanao is more than all this vitriol. It is a beautiful destination, the homeland to many peaceful people who will welcome you with gracious kindness.

A reader of Mawallil’s post, Emy Bahjin-Jalani reacted to Robles’ controversial tweet and said: “This girl is full of pessimism and evil wishes for her fellow countrymen while painting a picture of bygone days that her side of the political spectrum has been so notorious about. We pray for the continuing peace in Mindanao. We were enjoying the peace and development during PRRD’s time that we are sure will be pursued by the in-coming administration. Sana hindi na guluhin ng mga the likes of this girl and their benefactors!”

Robles, who wrote the book “Marcos Martial Law: Never Again,” said she has replied to tweets accusing her of being irresponsible about Mindanao being opened up to tourism. 

In a Facebook post on June 3, Robles admitted she received a lot of bashing for the tweet she made. “Apparently, a tweet I made on making Mindanao a tourism destination has opened me up for a lot of bashing,” she said and urged those who bashed her to read her post. “Pls read. And if you still don't agree, just block me,” she said. 

Sayyaf is toothless 

On June 4, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman also released a statement, saying Robles must be held accountable for what she tweeted.

“Nais nating sagutin ang mga pahayag na binitawan ni Ms. Raissa Robles kamakailan sa Twitter bilang babala o reaksyon sa plano ng bagong kalihim ng Department of Tourism na buksan ang ilang bahagi ng Mindanao sa turismo. Sa pagsagot ni Ms. Robles sa kabi-kabilang puna ng ibang netizen sa Twitter, nabanggit niya ang security concern na dala ng Abu Sayyaf Group o ASG at pati na rin ang ating lalawigan sa Basilan.”

“Gusto ko lang linawin: WALA NANG PANGIL ANG ASG SA BASILAN. At ito ay bunga ng maraming taon na pakikipagtulungan ng security forces, lokal na pamahalaan, komunidad at mga imam sa ilalim ng Program Against Violent Extremism na ating inilunsad maraming taon na ang nakakaraan. Ang mga mamamayan ng Basilan ay malaya nang nakakagalaw at nawala na ang takot na noon ay bumabalot sa aming lalawigan. Pinagtulungan namin kung anuman ang kapayapaan na tinatamasa naming mga Basileño ngayon,” Hataman said. 

Irresponsible 

This was followed by a June 5 statement issued by Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, who branded Robles’ tweet as “irresponsible and discriminatory” views of Mindanao and its people. 

“The views expressed by Raissa Robles on Mindanao in reaction to the plan of incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to develop the region as a tourist destination are replete with journalistic recklessness and irresponsibility — something that calls for our collective condemnation as it grossly discriminated against all Mindanawons, especially those living in Moro communities. What Robles did was a demonization of Mindanao and an insult to its people, who also deserve to experience the gains of the Duterte administration over the past six years. Robles clearly wanted to undervalue everything that the Duterte administration has done in keeping the peace and security in Mindanao and ensuring that concerns caused by terrorist organizations, including kidnap for ransom groups, are addressed appropriately with the help of local governments and leaders of communities,” Duterte said. 

She said since 2016, the kidnapping operations by Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao have been significantly reduced compared to the previous years — and the authorities have successfully rescued all victims. All other incidents concerning Abu Sayyaf had been about the arrests and surrenders of their members and leaders. 

“As a Filipino, Robles should be ashamed of herself for dangerously trying to stoke and encourage terrorist groups to target tourists in Mindanao,” Duterte said. (Mindanao Examiner)