The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered on Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assign “Media Security Focal Persons’’ in every province and city in the country as part of the security measures to journalists amid the threat of attacks and harassments related to their duty.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the memorandum was issued by Secretary Eduardo M. Año to PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos upon the request of Presidential Task Force of Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Joel Sy Egco in anticipation of a possible increase in violent incidents involving media men during the election season.

“The infamous massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in November 2009 is a constant reminder that media workers are mostly vulnerable a few months before, during and a few months after every elections,’’ Malaya said.

He stressed that the department and the PTFoMS are particularly concerned over the fact that the problem of media killings and other acts of violence against members of the media are ‘directly related to the geopolitical environment.’’

“We share the views of PTFoMS Executive Director Usec Egco, whose office has data on the prevalence of media violence during the election season. The best example of that is, of course, the Maguindanao massacre. Secretary Eduardo Año saw the wisdom in the request and as a result, he gave the directive to the PNP," Malaya said.

The memorandum states that the PNP is directed to designate a PNP focal person for media security who will be the first to receive information and respond to any threats leveled against a media worker and shall also directly coordinate with assigned special agents (SAs) of the PTFoMS and assist the Task Force in expediting the resolution of cases of violence against journalists.

Año also expressed optimism that the presence of “Police Focal Persons for Media Security will be an effective deterrent or strategy for a quick response measure to protect journalists at the local level.’’

“We are one with the PTFoMS in providing security and other protective measures for media workers. They deserve to be shielded from every form of harm that they might be exposed to in the line of duty particularly during elections,” Año said.

The DILG spokesperson explained that the DILG, as well as all the other member agencies of the task force such as the PNP, is fully supportive of the programs and projects of the PRFoMS aimed at ensuring a better and safer working environment for all media workers in the country.

“As government officials, we have a sworn duty to protect our countrymen against all forms of violence, especially journalists who are in the frontlines to provide news and information to the public. As the President has stated time and again, this government does not and will not condone any form of violence against media people," he added.