The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) signed an agreement with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) to enhance the bureau's role of protecting journalists and other media workers.
NBI Acting Director Angelito DLP. Magno signed on Wednesday, Feb. 18, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PTFoMS.
“With the Bureau’s agreement with PTFoMS, the NBI remains proactive, firm, and committed in its mandate to protect press freedom and uphold justice for members of the media," Magno said.
He also said that under Republic Act No. 10867, the NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act, the NBI keeps its specific jurisdiction over the investigation of media-related killings, ensuring that such crimes are met with the full force of the law.
Magno has designated the NBI’s Investigation Service, Homicide Division (NBI-HD), and Public Relations and Information Division (NBI-PRID) to lead the probe in crimes committed against media members.
He also said a focal person has also been appointed to oversee case monitoring and liaison efforts with other PTFoMS member agencies.
The MOA establishes a robust framework designed to enhance the protection of media practitioners through several key initiatives, Magno said.
“It prioritizes seamless information exchange to facilitate the sharing of critical data relevant to media-related cases, while simultaneously strengthening joint investigation efforts to ensure that violations against journalists are handled with speed, impartiality, and comprehensive oversight,” he added.
At the same time, he said the MOA focuses on resource integration by leveraging the NBI’s specialized investigative expertise to fully support and advance PTFoMS’ mandate.
Aside from the NBI, the other member agencies of PTFoMS are the Department of Justice, Office of the Press Secretary, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Office of the Solicitor General, and the Presidential Human Rights Committee.