By LITO RULONA Correspondent THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has cancelled the permits of 19 community radio and television stations in northern Mindanao for alleged violation of government regulations. NTC regional director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. also ordered the media companies to desist and desist their broadcasting operations. Buenavista said the NTC would likely issue another closure order against more radio stations in the region for violating provisions in the communications and broadcasting laws. Slapped with the NTC order were the community television stations MIT-RTVN 93.3 mhz in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; MIT-RTVN 98.8 mhz in Calamba, Misamis Occidental; MIT-RTVN 91.3 mhz in Ozamiz City; MIT-RTVN 97.5 mhz in Ozamiz City; MIT-RTVN Channel 7 in Ozamiz City; SJ-TIT TV-9 in Ozamiz City; and JBT-5 CATV in Damulog, Bukidnon. Also ordered closed down were Price Yap 98.6 FM in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, DxJB Advertising 106.7 FM in Manticao, Misamis Oriental, a Manila Broadcasting Company radio station in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; MVU-WS FM in Valencia, Bukidnon; PEC Broadcasting in Oroquieta City; Hypersonic Broadcasting in Lala, Lanao del Norte; Prime Broadcasting in Iligan City; RMC-DxRA in Valencia City; Northern Mindanao College Radio in Lala, Lanao del Norte; DxJJ Fm 102.5 mhz in Calamba, Misamis Occidental; Hope Radio 103.4 mhz in Gingoog City; and “Radio ni Juan” 94.5 mhz in Valencia City, Bukidnon. Buenavista said some of the stations have continued their operations despite the NTC order, and have contested the order issued by the Commission’s regional office. “Some of these stations have franchises but they are having intra-corporate disputes among investors or incorporators. Ilang gi-contest karon sa NTC ngano ipasira nga duna man daw sila’y franchise,” said Beunavista. He said the NTC regional office was waiting for word from its central office even as he warned that the government can go to the extent of confiscating broadcast equipment of defiant stations. Buenavista said the NTC has noted that some of the mobile stations only go on air during election season apparently to serve the agenda of partisan political groups. “Kalit lang og mushroom. Naa pa gani uban nga ‘mobile radio station’ og gitawag kini namo nga radyo bandido kay lisod pangitaon,” Buenavista said. He said some of the “mobile radio stations” turned out to be registered in other regions of the country. The NTC has acquired a radio direction facility in order to track down illegal broadcasters. “We are appealing to Congress for the amendment of old laws in broadcasting that date back to 1931. Commonwealth Act 146, for instance, is prone to abuses. Under this law, NTC regional offices have no authority to discipline,” Buenavista said.