PH forms ‘MSVs’ ahead of 2022 polls

AHEAD of the campaign period for the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), the Philippine government has initiated a novel approach to protect media workers and journalists with the formal launching of the Media Security Vanguards (MSVs) of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Friday, January 21, 2022, another first of its kind in the world.

During the virtual ceremony and press conference, more than 500 Public Information Officers (PIOs) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) all over the country, led by PNP Spokesperson P/BGen Roderick Augustus Alba, were formally designated and introduced as Media Security Vanguards (MSVs) to protect the life, liberty and security of all journalists and media workers in the country. Alba will serve as chief vanguard.

PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco thanked and lauded the efforts of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to protect journalists and proactively prevent a repeat of the infamous 2009 ‘Ampatuan Massacre’ in the coming elections.

Egco said the formal launch of the MSVs is a very important milestone in the protection of press freedom and journalists not only in the Philippines, but for the rest of the world.

“Today, we can proudly say that this government has the resolve, determination, and even the political will to acknowledge and protect the important role of every journalist and media worker in this democratic country… And that is to inform, educate, inspire and empower all our citizens,” Egco added.

Egco also reiterated that, “Since the start of his administration, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has always been at the forefront of protecting and securing the welfare of journalists with the signing of his very first Administrative Order, AO No. 1, which created the PTFOMS, the first in the world and Executive Order No. 2 (on every citizen’s right to) freedom of information.”

“And up to now, to the very end of President Duterte’s term, this administration will continue to protect all our media workers with the creation and deployment of PTFoMS’ Media Security Vanguards for this election and beyond.

“This is another novel mechanism put in place by the Philippine government,” he added.

Recognizing “journalists as harbingers of truth, information and justice,” DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año stressed in his speech that, “the media need to be safeguarded against every threat of violence, discrimination, misinformation, corruption, and other forms of perils that become even more prevalent during elections.”

Año added that journalists have a sacred job to do—and this cannot be restrained with doubt, fear, harassment, and intimidation to tell the truth to the people and in the name of the profession they have sworn into.

With the anticipated rise of election-related violence, the DILG Secretary said the government has proactively took further steps in protecting journalists through the formation of a network of MSVs across the country.

Aside from acting as the media workers’ ‘first-line of defense,’ the MSVs shall directly coordinate with assigned Special Agents (SAs) of the PTFoMS in expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of violence, threats, and acts of intimidation against journalists.

“Now, we can gladly look forward to a future where the press can go out there, walk and work on the ground freely—free and far from the perils that have been long attached to a journalist’s job,” Año said.

Año also challenged journalists to “Work closely and collaboratively with us in government especially with the PNP Public Information Officers (PIOs) who have been designated as Media Security Vanguards.”

PTFoMS Chairman and Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra gave emphasis on the election as “the most sacred ritual in a democratic society, when every person – regardless of status, accomplishment, gender, persuasion, or station in life – is guaranteed the same voice to decide the leadership of communities and the entire country in the next three or six years.”

“But here and elsewhere, the history of elections has proved at times dangerous and turbulent. “The 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, which claimed the lives of fifty-eight (58) persons, including candidates, political supporters, lawyers, journalists, and witnesses, reminds us that there are, and will always be, forces who will resort to intimidation and violence to subvert the free will of the electorate,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra assured that “there (should) be no doubt: our commitment to protect and promote the security of our media personnel – especially during the coming months – will be, as always, unwavering.”

In addition, PTFoMS Co-Chairman Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar said, “journalists and media workers will obtain ‘the convergence of complete protection’ not only because of the physical protection provided by the MSVs but also because of the PNP’s guiding principles such as integrity, honor, nobility of purpose, the maintenance of basic human rights, the pursuit of justice under the rule of law, the responsibilities of freedom, and the observance and performance of ethical standards.”

PNP Chief General Dionardo B Carlos congratulated all the PNP PIOs nationwide, now designated as Media Security Vanguards, adding that “our concerted effort continuously brings forward effective results that are truly valuable and supportive in making the PNP an organization that champions the promotion and protection of the life, liberty, and security of media workers.”

Carlos also reminded the MSVs to remain advocates of the right to transparency, accountability and public right to information, “We need to act in unison as we move forward together with vigor and resilience to better address this challenge and help boost the government’s campaign against political viciousness and in expediting the resolution of cases of violence against journalists.”

The country’s biggest media organizations also commended PTFoMS’ initiative to protect press freedom with the creation of the MSVs. National Press Club (NPC) President Paul Gutierrez said the MSVs “is a welcome development” and “the first of its kind in the world.”

Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) President Herman Basbaño thanked the government “for the concern and continuing programs for the media,” adding that the MSV initiative “will help create an environment where media can exercise their fundamental right to freedom of expression.” Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) President Nelson Santos said that their group will work closely with the MSVs for the protection of media workers.

Finally, Philippine Online Broadcasters Association (POBA) President Errol Dacame said the MSVs is a “concrete manifestation that this administration is truly mindful of the media workers safety” and “further reinforced our courage to do our journalism jobs free from intimidations.”