Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Eduardo Año warned politicians and their supporters against harming any member of the media covering the local and national elections.

He vowed to use the full force of the law against any one who would dare to harass and kill journalists as part of the steps to protect media workers.

He noted that the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have joined forces with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) in creating a safer and healthy atmosphere for the media workers in the next polls following the official launch of the Media Security Vanguards.

“This coming election, 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,” Año said.

Año disclosed that a total of 1,899 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were designated as PNP Focal Persons for Media Security in the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections.

Of the 1,899 police personnel designated as focal persons, 133 are public information officers (PIOs) assigned in 17 police regional offices, 81 police provincial offices, and 20 city police stations.

Meanwhile, 1,766 chiefs of police nationwide will act as the operating arm in the implementation of the guidelines for media security vanguards at the local level.

These 1,899 PNP focal persons will work together with PTFOMS Special Agents in protecting, investigating, and addressing security concerns raised by media workers.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos had designated the PNP PIOs as “Media Security Vanguards” and appointed Pol. Gen Roderick Alba as the chief focal person on media security.

The designation of Media Security Vanguards was made upon the request of PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Sy Ecgo to 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 the journalists’ “first line of defense’’ as they will be the first to receive information and respond to threats made against the media workers.

The PNP focal persons 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 (If the journalist and the police join forces in uncovering and resolving violent and possible dangers, our campaign against lawlessness and corruption will be enhanced),’’ Año stressed.

No to press violence

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya emphasized that politicians will be prosecuted and held accountable should they attempt to cause violence against media practitioners.

“Kami po dito sa DILG (We in the 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 needs 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. (Chito A. Chavez)