Protect journalists, media workers from poll violence: DILG

INTERIOR SECRETARY Eduardo Año has vowed to protect the safety of journalists and media workers in their line of duty ahead of the May polls when violence against the members of the Fourth Estate is notably rampant because of their reports.

Año warned to prosecute politicians and their supporters harassing or threatening or engaging in any form of violence against journalists and media workers in the country.

He said the DILG and the Philippine National Police have joined forces with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to create safe and healthy spaces for media practitioners in the forthcoming elections following the official launch of the Media Security Vanguards.

“This coming elections let us all together ensure the safety of our media practitioners to spare and protect them from the wrongdoings perpetrated by politicians. Let us keenly look out for their protection from any danger that could prevent them from doing their work efficiently, effectively, and honestly,” he said.

Año said some 1,899 personnel assigned in 17 police regional offices, 81 police provincial offices have been designated as PNP Focal Persons for Media Security, on top of the 1,766 chiefs of police nationwide who will act as the operating arm in the implementation of the guidelines for media security vanguards at the local level.

These police personnel, Año added, will work together with PTFOMS Special Agents in protecting, investigating, and addressing security concerns raised by media workers.

National Police Chief General Dionardo Carlos has designated PNP public information officers as “Media Security Vanguards” and appointed General Roderick Alba as Chief Focal Person on Media Security.

The designation of Media Security Vanguards was made upon the request of PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Ecgo for the DILG to assign PNP focal persons all over the country pursuant to President Duterte's Administrative Order No. 1.

Among the tasks of PNP Focal Persons are to serve as a journalists’ first line of defense as they will be the first to receive information and respond to threats made against them. They will also be in charge of expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of violence, threats, and intimidation against journalists in collaboration with PTFoMS Special Agents.

“The PNP is doing its best to carry out their mandate to protect the people. Kapag magkakatuwang ang mga mamamahayag at ang ating kapulisan sa pag-uungkat at pagresolba sa mga karahasan at bantang kinakaharap, lalong napapaigting ang ating kampanya laban sa mga kapahamakan at katiwaliang nakapalibot sa halalan,” Año said.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya also said that politicians will be prosecuted and held accountable should they attempt to cause violence against media practitioners. “Kami po dito sa DILG, we wish to issue this warning against all politicians who are planning to inflict harm on the media. Through the PNP focal persons or the media security vanguards, we will make sure that you are prosecuted and you are held accountable,” Malaya said.

“The media (workers) need to be safeguarded against every threat of violence and other forms of peril that become even more prevalent during elections. They have an important job and this cannot be restrained by fear, harassment, or intimidation to tell the truth to the public,” he added. (Mark Navales and Malou Cablinda contributed to this report.)