I understand why some young journalists love to be called “war correspondents.” (Especially the men journalists) They want to prove their worth, they want to prove they are man enough to enter the combat zone. Maybe some would also want to try what and how is it to be in the middle of the combat zone.

Also, I understand that conflict stories are big stories. They would surely land on the frontpages and cover stories of the magazine. I’m sure there are young journalists in Manila today who wants to fly to Sulu to cover the looming war and maybe they are praying too for another large-scale war.

For me, I’m tired of covering the shooting war. Not because it’s dangerous but I’m also tired of looking at the displaced people. I’m also tired of listening to their gripes. Same old stories. It’s like I already have a template for their stories. All I have to do is to change their names, address and age. Because their stories have been told before and they keep on telling, today. It’s the same. I hope that some journalists would also try to look at the human side of the story of the war.

Veteran Mindanaoan journalist Froilan Gallardo also shared to me that he’s already tired of covering the conflict in Mindanao. I understand, he’s been covering the war since the 80’s. I understand what he means of being tired. Basically, the stories are the same. But sometimes he had no choice when asked to cover the conflict because of his experience.

” Am done with that. Sila na naman ( the young ones),” Froilan shot back when I asked him if he’s going to Sulu anytime soon.

FOR A CHANGE Froilan Gallardo in Brgy. Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato capturing the daily of the T’bolis.

I’m also thankful that some “war freak” journalists from Manila are already out of the circulatation. I remember them in Pikit when they did a setup just to get a good shot of the howitzers and mortars just to show to the world that they are in combat zone and there was an ongoing firefight. Actually, walang nangyayari. He just want to show that something is going on so that he can go live on our screens.

Covering the war is not just about the combatants and the number of casualties of the warring groups. It’s also about those who are affected by the useless war. The people, the evacuess, the roots of war and then the effects. 

So sad but that’s how this kind of journalist look at Mindanao — like a milking cow. Some journalists too benefit from the war. Believe me, because I did too.

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