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TheCrusader

Publishers Subscribing Students of Xavier University

Editorial Board Melvin P. Villacote Editor in Chief Reina Margaret Gwynette T. Villamor Associate Editor Jean Mika M. Aporillo Design Editor Rafhael L. Jabongga Managing Editor Danica Ela P. Armendarez News Editor Claire Ivy T. Vanguardia Campus Features Editor Alyssa Chantal P. Moreno Local Features Editor Levina Eunice O. Palarca National Features Editor Kenneth Wallace G. Melendez Broadcast News Director James Patrick B. Pabonita Photography Editor Sheil Ann Ashley P. Bruas Graphic Design & Layout Editor Jayson Elvie G. Ty Freehand Editor Karl Mykell M. Tabbay Video Productions Director

Managers Edshera Mae R. Abella Human Resource Manager Kevin Matthew N. Pacana Office Manager Aira May L. Plaga Circulations Manager Jivi Roy D. Rizaldo Online Accounts Manager Paula Elaine D. Francisco Senior Research Manager Catherine C. Naldoza Senior Computer Systems Manager Reyjean Marie S. Bacud Senior Finance Manager Sumayyah G. Caris Internal Auditor

Staff Writers Racquel Vaneza Kate B. Agustin (Trainee) Regina Noelle C. Arquiza (Trainee) Fritz F. Bustamante Andre’ Socorro F. Doria Abdel Rafi M. Lim Rustum Louiegie P. Duranm Jr. (Trainee) Hyacinth L. Premacio (Trainee) Nia Enrille R. Rabanes

Staff Artists Derrick Kean A. Auxtero John Ian G. Bradshaw Zenju P. Espinosa Chloe Alexandra T. Orteza (Trainee) Kiarra Dlahmane P. Lingating Shaun Arthur O. Pao Kenneth Jhon D. Sanchez

Staff Broadcasters Angelyne I. Bonani Christian A. La Victoria (Trainee) Aliyah Francine G. Salan (Trainee) Andrea Marie Tan (Trainee) Kyla Gabrielle P. Tuto (Trainee)

Moderator Mr. Raymond A. Ybañez

For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to TheCrusader Publication Office, Rm. 302, Student Training Center (STC) Bldg, Xavier University 9000, Cagayan de Oro City

Circulation 1,500 copies

thecrusaderpublication.ph /thecrusaderpublication /TheCrusaderTV

@thecrusaderpub Cover Story Cover Story

Table of Contents

1 Editorial 2 Columns 4 Above the media, Beneath the truth 6 Truth: Buried Deep under Deceit 7 Expectation vs. Reality: The Duterte Admin 8 SIBYA 10: On Disinformation and Democracy 10 Another virus? Monkeypox and what you need to know 11 ‘Don’t Look Up’ in Reality: The Scientist Rebellion 12 Comics 13 Hohongihong All inverted pages

The Cover

H

istory begs to repeat itself as the dark days of media under the Martial Law slowly resurface. In the depths of the sea of disinformation and with the truth barely staying afloat, we now fight our greatest battle yet. More than ever, we must fixate ourselves on what is true and tighten our grip on what is right.C

Words by Fritz F. Bustamante Design by Kevin Matthew N. Pacana & Shaun Arthur O. Pao

The official student publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Vol. 48 No. 5 September 2022

EDITORIAL

Falling for the biased

R

egardless of motivation, murder is unjustifiable no matter the delusion driven by one’s own political stance. In recent events, the unsettling Ateneo shooting had disturbed Filpinos and traumatized the people who were in the venue of the incident. Yet, the tones of many social media narratives lean more towards sympathizing for the murderer instead of being disapproving and critical. Despite his condemning actions, people who share the same political stance with the murderer were quick to side with him, justifying his actions by reasons sullied with harmful beliefs and perpetuated by disinformation.

Chao Tiao Yumol had killed three innocent people that day; former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay and her aide Victor George Capistrano, and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala. To suddenly barge in an event meant for celebration and kill three people for one’s own selfish agenda is a horrific act in itself. Yet, according to Rappler, 56.6 percent of over 2,300 Facebook posts and 45.4 percent of 250 Youtube videos that mentioned Yumol sympathized with him and were supportive of his actions. It seems like there are people who would rather sympathize with Yumol and justify his actions than admit that a fellow BBM supporter is a vile murderer.

Many social media posts called Yumol a “hero” because apparently, he had fought an injustice. He was a mere victim pressured by the injustices of those in power—compelled to kill the person whom he believed was a corrupt official involved in the illegal drug trade. It even went as far as blaming the victims of the shooting, claiming “they deserved it” even when evidence against Yumol’s accusations proved him wrong. This is the story they were made to believe to make it seem like the gunman was not at fault. People failed to be more critical of a situation in favor of elevating a narrative they want to believe.

In reality, no matter the reason for Yumol’s actions, taking matters into his own hands was not the solution to end the injustices of corruption. These were the actions of a reckless, merciless, and unstable man who had destroyed the lives of the families of the people he killed. Just as worse as his actions are the false narratives spread throughout social media that had many believe that the murder was borne from the calculated decision of a “hero”. What many don’t realize is that stories like this are politically driven. Facts are manipulated and twisted to the advantage of one party involved. This subtle, yet detrimental manipulation of information has gone too far as people continue to twist stories of real horror in desperation to keep their political stance and the image of who they support pristine.

Murder should not be glorified in any situation. But because we have encased ourselves in a box of beliefs fed by our Facebook timelines and favorite Youtube channels, we were blinded from seeing a shooting incident as it is—dreadful and disturbing. Even when the murderer in the news has the same political beliefs as we do, we must learn to look at the situation objectively, scrutinize information, and confirm the facts before coming to a conclusion that will cost us our morality.C