MANILA, Philippines – Members of the media participated in a dialogue with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday to discuss the safety of journalists after the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
“Ramdam ng National Press Club of the Philippines na mayroon tayong kakampi sa kapulisan at pinakita nila yung aktibong pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin na, batay po sa kautusan ng ating PNP Chief Azurin na lumapit sila sa media. Sila na mismo yung nagsagawa ng dialogo, para maparating kung ano man ang kanilang plano to protect the media,” said Lydia Bueno, president of the National Press Club,
(The National Press Club of the Philippines feels that it has an ally in the police, and they showed their active fulfillment of their duties that are based on PNP Chief’s Azurin’s directive that they should approach the media. They themselves will conduct the dialogue so they can say what their plans are to protect the media).
The president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Herman Basbano also joined in the dialogue, as well as KBP Chairman Ruperto S. Nicdao, Jr.
“It’s a very good way of building trust between media and DILG and PNP kasi alam natin yung nangyari in the past several days, mayroon konting issue of trust. And that’s because of the circumstances na nangyari. Namatay ang isang kasamahan natin, who is a known critic of government, tapos nagkaroon ng mga visitations, so syempre matatakot tayo, di ba?” said Nicdao.
(It’s a very good way of building trust between the media and DILG and PNP because we know what has happened in the past several days, there is a bit of a trust issue. And that’s because of the circumstances. One of our colleagues died, who is a known critic of the government, then there were visitations, so of course we will get scared right?).
Nicdao attributed the mistrust to “rogue elements” in the PNP.
Basbano also emphasized that the PNP’s efforts are commendable, but can be improved.
Basbano added that there should also be mechanisms to ensure that such visitations do not have abuses.
Following Lapid’s death, authorities from the Eastern Police District visited the homes of several media members in a supposed effort to check on them, sparking concerns from some reporters.
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