NPC, Taduran, welcome DILG order to assign PNP ‘media focal persons’

THE National Press Club of the Philippines, the country’s biggest media organization and ACT-CIS representative, Niña Taduran, principal author of the Media Workers Welfare Act (MWWA), welcomed the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to assign police personnel as focal persons for media security, especially with the national elections just around the corner.

Based on the DILG memorandum signed by Sec. Eduardo M. Año, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is directed to designate a focal person for media security who will receive information and respond to any threats leveled against a media worker or any member of the press.

The focal person shall directly coordinate with assigned Special Agents of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) in expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of violence, threats and acts of intimidation against journalists.

“We would like to express our gratitude to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año for responding to the call for the protection of media practitioners, especially in the provinces, coming as it did when the country is to hold its national elections this May and where, based on experience, threats, intimidation and violence against members of the press are usually on the rise,” said NPC President Paul M. Gutierrez.

“We also appreciate the effort of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security for its initiative in raising this matter with the DILG. Giving added protection to journalists, especially during the election season has long been a joint campaign by the NPC and the PTFoMS,” Gutierrez added.

Taduran, also House Assistant Majority Leader, for her part said:

“Media workers face threats, pressure and intimidation in relation to their work especially during election period. Armed with nothing but their pens and their words, they bravely do their jobs amidst all challenges.

“We don’t want another Maguindanao massacre to happen wherein journalists sacrificed their lives to deliver the news. They need protection to bring out the truth to the public,” said Taduran.

The solon, also a long-time broadcast journalist and NPC member, was referring to the infamous ‘2009 Ampatuan Massacre’ where 32 of the murdered victims were members of the press.

Taduran further expressed her concern that as election day approaches, media men are caught in the middle of violence and turbulence.

“Media is very important especially at this time when we want the truth about the elections to be delivered in the safety of our homes.

“Ligtas tayong nakikinig at nanonood sa kanilang mga balita, pero ang mga taga-media, hindi napo-protektahan ng husto sa kanilang trabaho. Tamang-tama ang suhestiyon ni Undersecretary Egco na bigyan ng police protection ang media,” said Taduran, in reference to PTFoMS head and former NPC president, Joel Sy Egco.

The NPC and Taduran also noted that Sec. Año’s directive came a day after former radio station manager and commentator, Jaynard Angeles, was shot dead in Tacurong City last January 12, 2022.

Angeles, 36, had resigned from his post as ‘Radyo ni Juan’ station manager in order to run as a city councilor. He died from a gunshot wound to the head.

“We at the National Press Club supports the efforts of the PNP and the PTFoMS to look into the root of this latest incident as we look forward to the implementation of the DILG order,” Gutierrez said.

“We reiterate, however, that there is no better protection against attacks and threats than the practice of fair, ethical, and responsible journalism as enunciated in the Journalist Code of Ethics,” the Club official stressed further.

Moving forward, Gutierrez urged all NPC-recognized media groups in the country as well as other media organizations to initiate a dialog with the police and DILG officials in their localities for the effective implementation of Sec. Año’s directive.

Meanwhile, the NPC and Taduran expressed confidence that the MWWA would be signed into law before the end of Pres. Duterte’s term this June.

When signed into law, the MWWA would give more protection and benefits for media workers all over the country. NEWS//