Taduran

PNP lauded for ensuring media workers’ protection

January 15, 2022 Ryan Ponce Pacpaco 409 views

HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Taduran has lauded the Philippine National Police (PNP) for immediately assigning law enforcers to protect all media workers specifically during this election season.

Taduran gave credit to Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Sec. Joel Sy Egco for bringing this need to the attention of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which immediately ordered the PNP to designate Media Security Focal Persons in provinces and cities nationwide.

“Media workers face threats, pressure and intimidation in relation to their work especially during election period. Armed with nothing but their pens and their words, they bravely do their jobs amidst all challenges. We don’t want another Maguindanao massacre to happen wherein journalists sacrificed their lives to deliver the news. They need protection to bring out the truth to the public,” Taduran said.

He is concerned that as election day approaches, media men are caught in the middle of violence and turbulence.

This as a 36 year-old radio commentator and former radio station manager, who was also seeking an elective post in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, was shot dead in Barangay Matiompong.

Jaynard Angeles, former station manager of Radyo ni Juan FM, was waiting for his car in front of a car repair shop when he was shot in the head by two men who were riding on a motorcycle. He was still working at Radyo ni Juan as commentator when the shooting happened.

Taduran expressed belief that assigning a PNP focal person for media security will help deter acts of violence against media workers.

“Media is very important especially at this time when we want the truth about the elections to be delivered in the safety of our homes. Ligtas tayong nakikinig at nanonood sa kanilang mga balita, pero ang mga taga-media, hindi napo-protektahan ng husto sa kanilang trabaho. Tamang-tama ang suhestiyon ni Undersecretary Egco na bigyan ng police protection ang media,” said Taduran.

Taduran is the author of the Media Workers Welfare Bill, which, when signed into law, could extend more protection for the media workers as they perform their duties.

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