Thoughts on the murder of Nelson Macam, Math teacher in RMHS Manila
Nelson Macam, a Math teacher in Ramon Magsaysay High School (RMHS) – Manila (the institution where I graduated back in 2006), was found dead in his Tondo, Manila residence. He was stabbed at least 20 times by a yet-to-be-named assailant. And as if Macam’s killing is not yet brutal enough, the local media’s irresponsible and sensationalized reporting on his death is tragic as well.
Apart from being an alumnus of RMHS, what made me interested in this case is the fact that I was in the school doing research when the news broke out in the afternoon of January 12. Born May 13 1963, Macam has taught in RMHS-Manila for twenty years already. At least five tabloids and one broadsheet carried this story. They are the following (click the headlines to read the story):
Abante Tonite – Titser, binurdahan ng 20 saksak
Hataw – Bading na titser, tinodas ng lover
People’s Journal – Robbers stab HS teacher 20X!
Philippine Star – Teacher stabbed dead in Tondo
Pilipino Star Ngayon – HS teacher, utas sa lover
Remate – Titser, binurdahan ng saksak, tigok
Reading the news stories made my stomach turn. All the writers either speculated or explicitly mentioned that Macam is gay. It is no secret that he is, but I am wondering if these journalists even bothered to ask for permission from the victim’s relatives if they can mention that.
I think the use of statements like “the victim had a constant male companion who frequented the place” and “the victim frequently entertained male visitors and gay friends in his room” seems nothing but malicious innuendo. It is disappointing to see journalists succumb to sensationalism.
Let me discuss the appalling lapses of each abovementioned news items:
Abante, Hataw, People’s Journal, and Remate –
What is the purpose of including in your article the complete address of the victim?
Hataw –
“Sa imbestigasyon, nabatid na madalas magdala ng bisitang lalaki ang biktima na kilalang bading sa kanilang lugar.” – Ito ba ay tsismis?
Hataw and Pilipino Star Ngayon –
Paano ninyo nasabing “lover” ni Mr. Macam ang pumatay sa kanya?
People’s Journal –
What is your basis for writing that Macam “had a constant male companion who frequented his place”?
Philippine Star –
Did journalist Nestor Etolle ask where the police officer he interviewed got the information that Macam “frequently entertained male visitors and gay friends in his room”?
The news items are totally appalling and very disrespectful to a man who’ve dedicated over half of his life to molding the minds of his students. #
About Author
mga 30 times daw.
Nabasa ko nga rin po 🙁
makles me curious, pwede ba idemanda or ipa stop mga ganyang items? Dapat nga me batas na mangangalaga sa pagkatao ng mga nalalagay sa news/krimen. Thanks for posting.
Anything published is already published. Wala na po tayong magagawa kapag hard copy. Pero yung sa internet posting, baka naman we can ask them to revise their stories. Kung broadsheets lang sana ito, we can write a letter to the editor. Thanks for reading.
Freedom of the press..
But there has to be some check and balances, too.
Grabe ! Bading tlga nilagay . Patay n nga po yung tao , gnyan pa po ang mga salitang pinopost nyo . di po makatarungan
hindi lng un… hindi naman ordinaryong tao ang pinatay isang guro n tinitingala ng mga guro at stud.
Tama ka. Kaya naisip ko na nararapat lang na punahin ang pangit na pagtrato ng media sa kanya.
Grabe nmn po ! patay n nga po yung tao , tpos kabastusan pa po yung mga salitang nakalagay dyan sa dyaryo . Di na po makatarungan.
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!|
You made some really good points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.|
opiera rubieże bośni review obszarów kroki brygady pomocy[] bazy działalność