THE president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) yesterday expressed alarm over reports that an official of the Technical Educaion and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) berated and cautioned a reporter about a story he was pursuing about the implementation of a skills training program. COPC president Jerry Orcullo said he was worried after Gold Star Daily correspondent LitoRulona sounded off, and claimed that Tesda regional director Edgar Sales berated him and told him that the reason why many media practitioners get shot is because they pursue stories based on unverified complaints. Rulona said he went to Tesda at around 11:30 am yesterday to ask about the implementation of a skills training program. Rulona said Sales flared up when he asked the official to comment about complaints about the awarding of projects. Rulona quoted Sales as telling him: “Nganodiha man sila mo-complain sainyo? Nganonga dili man sila mo sulti saako as regional director para ma-istoryahan namo, Pwede diay na? “Wala kab amasayod nga dunay complaint nga gipaagi sa media against sa usa ka general sa pulis? ...nga maoy hinungdan nga napusilan ang usa ka media... Mao kining mga walay klaro nga complaint nga gakapusilan ang media.” Orcullo said Sales would need to clarify, and explain what he meant by that, adding that the pronouncements sounded like a veiled threat to him.