It could be in the form of untraceable text or e-mail. Or cryptic phone call of muffled voice and disguised speech. Or coursed cowardly through mutual friends. Or hurled brazenly directly at his face.
But always, the bottom line is the same: "We will get you." "You shall pay." "You shall die."
Indeed, and to borrow from Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, fearless broadcaster Mike Enriquez "eats death threats for breakfast," and probably even for lunch and dinner. And always, his dry reply is something like "so please pass the salt."
Since fronting for the award-winning investigative show "Imbestigador," Mike has been going through his job ambiguously under the cast of light and the shadow of death. Every time an episode airs, the many people he has helped are rivaled in number by those who, say, have grudgingly lost source of livelihood albeit illegally, with some even landing behind bars. "It�s nothing unexpected," he says during a recent one-on-one. "Pinaplano pa lang yung show, alam na naming darating yung punto na magkakaroon ng libel, pressures, attempts to bribe and, yes, death threats. Alam ko naman ang gusto nilang mangyari: They want me terrorized to the point of being immobilized. But that will never happen because I focus on the task at hand. Seryoso ako sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong totoo."
In as much as every death threat he gets ("too many to count already," he quips), Mike takes his life seriously, too. Aside from the security team that accompanies him and his wife everywhere they go, he has made it a habit to "look over my shoulders" and a rule to "live the lifestyle not just every waking hour but every minute."
"You�ll never know when the bad guys would make good their �promise,�" he explains. "It could be tomorrow, next week or even a year later. Minsan nga iniisip ko, kung susundan ko lahat ng security measures, I might as well just lock myself up inside my room! But seriously, the hard part is that I�m not the only one who has to take precautions but even my wife and those close to me. Fortunately, they remain steadfast with their support. They understand that though I may come across as hard hitting, my intentions are always for greater good."
Many are the episodes in his show that Mike is proud of. Among these are policemen caught doing drugs on camera, lifestyle checks on unscrupulous politicians and entrapment for those who head sex dens. In all of these, "Imbestigador" makes sure it only exposes crimes which they could bring head-on with the corresponding authorities (e.g. PACER for drug busts) during operations.
"What people see on TV are just tip of the iceberg," Mike says. "Do you know that there are about 50 to 100 walk-ins every week asking for help? And that�s not even counting the e-mails and letters we get from here and abroad!"
He continues: "Not all make it on the program, of course. Still, we try to help as many people as we can. Pero yung truly deserving of help lang, ha? Many times, too, those cases that are aired have already been resolved even as people only get to know about it. I�d like to believe that it�s the secret of our success: We followup. Minsan nga sa kaka-follow-up namin, kung sino pa ang nagsumbong, siya pa ang nahuhuling lumalabag pala sa batas!"
"Good triumphs over evil" is core message Mike makes sure every expose drives home.
"Because if we don�t, then what message is being sent? That the world is overrun by hoodlums? No, there should always be hope because our people deserve it. Despite rampant criminality, I still believe that there are more Filipinos who want to do things straight; to rectify what�s wrong and to abide by the law. I have faith in our people. I will always believe in the inherent good in every Filipino." Does he consider death threats as badge of honor; a validation that he is doing his job right?
"Not at all. If anything, I consider it as job hazard; inevitable in the line of duty. The real badge of honor comes when laymen approach me, cite their favorite episodes and say, �Wag n�yo pong titigilan ang ginagawa niyo dahil madami kayong natutulungan.� These remarks humble me and make me want to give even more of my best."
It�s not always exposes, by the way. "Imbestigador" balances its content by airing human interest stories, too. Remember when Mike covered Pope John Paul�s funeral in Rome? Or what about their piece on poverty that�s been widely quoted by law schools and academic institutions?
Yet still, the death threats keep coming.
"Fortunately, we are in a network that�s committed to the task at hand. Hindi lang basta ratings and revenues ang iniisip nila. Kung walang commitment ang GMA 7, who will pay for my legal bills, send me abroad or even provide for security? I certainly can�t! Besides, kung pa-cute�cute lang ang show, one that won�t follow-up on its promise of service, it will show. It will reflect on the culture of the network. You know, it�s easier for one in this field to gain notoriety than to earn and maintain credible image."
Mike also credits the staff of "Imbestigador."
"I�ve been blessed with a good staff that has the passion, the commitment and right people skills to deliver. �Imbestigador� is not an easy show to put together. There are people to talk to, research to be done and double-checked, and fieldwork. It �s a 24/7 job for these guys; a lifestyle, too" he lauds.
When asked what dream coverage or report he yearns to do, the former seminarian and staunch believer in St. Francis Assisi�s prayer "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace" in Mike overtakes the unflinching broadcaster.
"If not for me then for the next generation of broadcasters: Someday, I want reports on the success of land reform. I want headlines that read, �Poverty crushed.� To do documentaries on why Filipinos choose to stay in the Philippines to work instead of abroad. Hope springs eternal," he ends.
Until then, the war between good and evil shall rage on.
And on the side of angels, the battle cry remains: "Hindi namin kayo tatantanan!"
Source: www.mb.com.ph