21 policemen tasked to ensure safety of journalists
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2019 11:37:49 +0000
THE Philippine National Police-Police Security and Protection Group (PNP-PSPG) on Wednesday announced that it was deploying 21 personnel to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFMS) to ensure the safety of journalists during the election season and to investigate media killings.
Joel Egco, PTFMS executive director and Communications undersecretary, said this was part of the group’s preparation for the possible rise of media violence during the elections.
He said that he did not want the infamous 2009 Maguindanao massacre, where 30 journalists were brutally killed, to happen again.
“We have to be vigilant now. There is really a spike of media violence [and] this is a sign we’re actually prepared for anything,” Egco said.
Egco said the 21 PNP-PSPG personnel, which he described as “special agents”, were mandated to provide security and discreetly conduct investigations around the country.
He also disclosed that there were 170 cases divided among these 21 agents and they were expected to gather information.
These 170 cases include “dead cases” of media killings or cases that have not been opened for a long time.
Egco also said that his office had been receiving red flag letters since 2017.
The most recent involved two journalists based in Central Luzon who reported they were receiving threats in connection with their profession.
“We recognize the problem on media violence. I spent more than two decades in the media. Always stick to the highest ethical standards of the profession,” Egco said. ROY NARRA
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