Here are the links to the first Inquirer article on the censorship of the film BUNKER 0: Sumirib, Published on Page E1 of the October 18, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article...

And here is the link to the follow-up article, Published on page H1 of the October 22, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

http://showbizandstyle.inq7.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article...

And for a more complete version, here is the e-mail I sent to the writer of the articles, Ms. Marinel Cruz regarding the follow-up article …

Dear Ms. Cruz,

Initially, I want to thank you very much for taking the time and sincere interest in writing about the censorship of my film for the Inquirer.

Regarding our phone conversation earlier this afternoon when I called you in reaction to your article on my censorship by ABC 5, I have come to the current conclusion that my words on the phone were based more on personal emotions rather than the facts at hand. The focus should be more on Guimaras, the oil spill, its people, its environment and its effects and its solutions, as I said in my speech last Friday at the premiere of our short films in Robinson's Galleria.

Currently I feel I am in danger of slipping into the trap of ego and focusing too much on myself and what was done to me. Guimaras and how the censorship of the film affects Guimaras is more important than me and how the censorship of my film affects me.

In that regard, I have prepared a list of facts and opinions that I prefer for you to focus more on in your follow-up article, rather than what I expressed to you over the phone this afternoon.

1.) Last October 16, Monday at the IFC office, Kamias Road, Quezon City, Independent Filmmaker Cooperative (IFC) officials mediated a dialogue between myself and ABC 5 representatives directly involved in the Guimaras short films project discussing the censorship issue of my film.

2.) All parties were given their chance to express their side.

3.) Issues discussed and clarified were:

a. Non-broadcast of the 6 minute version of "BUNKER 0: Sumirib" was due to human error. The tape of the film was mistakenly not included in the final edit for the show's broadcast. (This was expressed some days before the meeting in a text message from an ABC 5 official to me.)

b. Regarding the broadcast of the censored and compromised 4 minute version of the film:

b.1. There really exists an official ABC 5 network policy reserving the right to re-edit a filmmaker's submitted work for the program SHORTS, but in this case, the network did not verbally inform the filmmakers involved in the project beforehand of this policy.

b.2. No formal written agreement was made beforehand regarding this network policy on re-editing film submissions to the program "SHORTS".

b.3. Given that there was no verbal or written agreement of the network's policy, still, no communication occurred between the program representatives and myself when the decision was made to edit out the portions concerning Petron and the oil spill.

b.4. The program went ahead with editing out those portions of the film without consulting me first.

c. The ABC 5 people expressed that no malice was intended in the decision to edit out those portions of the film. And I believe them and this to be so.

d. The incident that occurred was due to a lack of communication and courtesy on the part of the ABC 5 people directly involved.

4.) The reasons for editing out portions of the film that still stand as a form of censorship in my opinion, that I, and myself only, can infer, were sadly due to various internal and external pressures in connection with the portions mentioning Petron.

5.) The ABC 5 people directly involved in the project expressed their sincere and personal apologies. I accepted the apologies wholeheartedly.

6.) A lot of lessons were learned and continue to be learned for all the parties involved in the controversy.

7.) The controversy could have been avoided, and it STOPS here, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, there must be continuing focus on the Guimaras oil spill and the clean-up efforts there that need to be continued there despite the official statements from the government and Petron saying otherwise.

8.) "Guimaras: Short Films from the Oil Spill" will have its regular, UNCENSORED screenings at the Robinson's Galleria Cinemas from November 18 to 19 as part of fund raising efforts for Guimaras.

9.) I continue to appeal to everyone to be vigilant in safeguarding our environment, our freedom of expression, and to be more involved in being critical of the information that's being given about the current status of the Guimaras Oil Spill disaster.

Attached is a personal photo of me that you can use for the article if you wish.

Ms. Cruz, thank you very much again for taking an interest in a matter of great importance.

Sincerely yours,

JP V. Carpio
Filmmaker
Bunker 0: Sumirib