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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Scribes in Eastern Visayas air concern over PNP rule withholding names of suspects

Scribes in Eastern Visayas air concern over PNP rule withholding names of suspects

Published Oct 18, 2023 04:57 am

TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Public Information Office of the Police Regional Office-8 has been withholding names of suspects and victims in police reports, which raised concerns for the media in Eastern Visayas, for over a month now.

PRO-8.jpg

PRO-8 seal

Police Major Marjorie Manuta, RPIO chief, said the new policy was approved on September 11, 2023, however, they are still awaiting cascading from the Philippine National Police national headquarters to air out the media's concern.

"It is an internal policy of the PNP as a whole...We will be sanctioned with administrative charges for violation of the policy," Manuta said when asked by the media.

Ioannes Omang, president of the PRO-8 Press Corps, expressed dismay over the policy.

"Turns out that the media and the taxpayers are being deprived of getting accurate information," Omang said.

Other PRO-8 Press Corps members stressed the need to strike a balance between data privacy and the right to information, citing that the Data Privacy Act of 2012 does not apply to personal information processed for journalistic, artistic, literary, or research purposes.

They also cited section 5 of the law which affords protection to journalists and their sources.

"Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to have amended or repealed the provisions of Republic Act No. 53, which affords the publishers, editors, or duly accredited reporters of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical of general circulation protection from being compelled to reveal the source of any news report or information appearing in said publication which was related in any confidence to such publisher, editor, or reporter."

Mediamen maintained that they strictly adhere to the policy in withholding names of suspects and victims in rape cases, minors, and other victims of violence.

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Data Privacy Act PRO-8 Eastern Visayas
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