Romer “Bong” Sarmiento of MindaNews, a Davao City-based news site, first place for his story, "The Tampakan Project: Battle Over Southeast Asia's Largest Copper-Gold Reserve."

 

Jeoffrey Maitem, Philippine Daily Inquirer Mindanao correspondent, first place for “Child in Red Blanket” (photography category).

 

Malu Manar of DXND-North Cotabato, first prize for "Tudok Firiz: Meketefu" (radio category).

 

Froilan Gallardo, MindaNews, finalist in the Photography category.

 

All have at one time or another worked with the Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD) in various Mindanao initiatives for media and citizens. Last August 27, they were cited for excellence in reporting humanitarian issues by the International Committee of the Red Cross at ceremonies marking the second edition of the Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting.

 

"Their stories and images illustrated the heavy toll of conflicts on civilians—with some looking through the eyes of children who are the more vulnerable in these situations. All the finalists showed that reporting on conflict need not be sensationalized or focused only on the conflict or on the peace negotiations," said Pascal Mauchle, ICRC head of delegation to the Philippines.

 

Mauchle handed the trophies and prizes to the winners along with Gwendolyn Pang, PRC secretary general, and representatives from partner organizations International News Safety Institute (INSI), The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (Pecojon), Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP), and Rotary Club of Manila (RCM).

 

Red Batario, INSI coordinator for the region and CCJD executive director, moderated the ceremonies held at the Bayleaf Hotel in the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila.

 

The other winners were:

 

Eleazar del Rosario, of Reel Time GMA News and Public Affairs for “Batang Halau," a one-hour documentary on the plight of undocumented Filipinos living in Sabah (video category).

 

Stella Estremera, editor-in-chief of SunStar Davao, for “Strides into the Future” (print category).

 

Twenty-five finalists competed in five categories of the only Philippine media competition that aims “to promote responsible reporting of conflict situations by highlighting the plight of those affected by it,” said the ICRC.

 

A total of 19 judges from the partner organizations rated the entries based on: evidence of research (30 percent); sourcing (20 percent); coherence/ organization (20 percent); style and presentation (15 percent); and conflict-sensitive reporting (15 percent).

 

The plaques and prizes were provided by ICRC, Philippine Red Cross, International News Safety Institute, Peace and Conflict Journalism Network, Photojournalists Center of the Philippines, and the Rotary Club of Manila.