Police officers march at the Philippine National Police grounds in Camp Crame in Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has designated focal persons for the protection of members of the media during the national and local elections this May.
This came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the PNP to assign media security focal persons in each area across the country to provide protection for members of the media who may face threats or intimidation during the elections.
“I have designated our chief PIO (Public Information Officer), Police Colonel Roderick Augustus Alba as the focal person at the National Headquarters for coordination with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, while the chiefs of the Regional Public Information Offices will be the counterparts at the different regional jurisdictions,” PNP chief Gen. Dinardo Carlos said in a statement.
Carlos then ordered each Regional PIO to work closely with various press corps to create a system of quick response.
“It’s like creating a special desk ready to assist on cases where there is threat and intimidation to the lives of media practitioners,” he said.
According to Carlos, the PNP recognizes the role of the media as a source of relevant information.
“Huge responsibility is given to the media industry. But as the election draws near, the political arena starts heating up. With the possible escalation of tension, media may be caught in the middle of political rivalry and conflict, so there is an urgent need to create that mantle of protection,” Carlos said.
“The media security concerns may be relayed to their respective national and regional press corps who are our partners in delivering information,” he added.
In a separate statement, Alba said the DILG’s directive is “timely and relevant,” adding that focal personnel can protect media personnel when the situation arises.
“We condemn any form of violence, that definitely includes violence against media,” Alba said.
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