PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos sent to the media a photo of PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa while delivering a speech before top police commanders during the traditional New Year’s call. The media were not allowed to cover the annual event for the first time in years.
For the first time in years, the Philippine National Police prevented the media from covering the traditional New Year’s call held annually in Camp Crame.
Every January, top PNP officials, heads of PNP’s directorial units, national support units, regional police directors and their spouses pay courtesy calls on the PNP chief.
Unlike in the previous years, reporters and cameramen were allowed to set up inside the PNP’s multipurpose center an hour before the event.
The media were also allowed to cover the PNP’s chief speech before top police commanders and to interview officials there.
Officials and their spouses started arriving at the venue at 7 a.m.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos did not give any explanation as to why the police were preventing the media from entering the venue.
He, however, provided the media with videos of the arrival ceremony.
After paying a courtesy call on the PNP chief, police commanders will then make a New Year’s call on the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Ismael “Mike” Sueno.
This time, the PNP allowed the media to cover Sueno’s event, which will also be held inside Camp Crame. But reporters and cameramen can only cover the event from outside the multipurpose center. CDG/rga