ABS-CBN's AM radio station, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 bagged the silver prize in the prestigious New York Festivals for the Radio Broadcasting Breaking News Story category (longform) for its special coverage of the Manila Hostage Drama last year.

Peter Musngi, ABS-CBN vice-president for Manila Radio Division, DZMM program and production services manager Marah Faner Capuyan and DZMM executive producer Nannette Quong received the award Thursday night, June 19, at at the Tribaca Rooftop in New York City.

DZMM won for covering the hostage-taking involving a whole busload of pre-school students who were held hostage on March 18, 2007.

It will be recalled that as soon as Radyo Patrol reporter Armel Fernandez broke the story, DZMM geared up for a special coverage and deployed reporters to the scene to get more information and a clearer picture of the situation at hand.

“The biggest breakthrough came when DZMM got hold of Jun Ducat, the hostage-taker himself and as it turned out, it was only through DZMM that he could be contacted. “It also became the link between Ducat and the worried parents of school children,” said Musngi.

DZMM veteran anchors Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez bridged him and the proper authorities–from the education department, to the social welfare department and, most importantly, the national police — for his demands. After 10 long hours of tension, the hostage drama ended when Ducat agreed to surrender and release the hostages at seven in the evening.

“Throughout this, DZMM reported with prudence and acted responsibly thus avoiding a tragic ending to this crisis. The station again lives up to its commitment of being first in news and public service without causing harm and endangering others,” said Musngi.

Aside from winning the silver prize, DZMM also earned a finalist berth fot its station manager-anchor Angelo Palmones in the Talk Show Host category for the science-oriented show “Bago Yan, Ah!”

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com