EGCO IN ALBAY. Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Egco, speaks to newsmen in Albay during his visit on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, to personally look into the recent killing of broadcast journalist Joey Llana. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said a PTFoMS council will soon be operational in every province of the country to serve as a tool in giving media practitioners a sense of security because they know that there is a body they can go to and report problems, threat or any kind of danger they may encounter in their line of work.
PTFoMS Executive Director and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday, said the PTFoMS was already effective and it will be soon have a presence in various areas of the country.
"Yon (Provincial PTFoMS Council) ang pinaka mahalaga, kasi kaya namin ginawa yon, na magkaroon non, we know for a fact yung gulo sa ibaba, alam namin meron hindi naman rivalry, friction among media organizations, media people doon sa mga probinsiya (That (Provincial PTFoMS Council) is crucial, that is why we created it, because we know for a fact that there is danger in the grassroots, it may not be rivalry but friction among media organizations, media people in the provinces)," he said.
Egco pointed out that based on their studies, friction among media practitioners and media organizations is just one of the many factors that could lead to killings of journalists.
He expressed belief that the operation of provincial PTFoMS council will greatly help to lessen crimes committed against members of the media.
"Tingin ko mas mababawasan kasi mas magiging magkakalapit kasi magkakaroon ng bind (I think it will be lessened since there will be closeness and bind among newsmen)," Egco said.
The provincial PTFoMS council will be headed by the provincial prosecutor and Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial director, together with members of the media in every province.
The council will determine which areas in a certain province have journalists receiving threat on their lives.
"Kasi sa kwentuhan malalaman mo yan eh, oh si ganto... may ganyan... ilista mo na yon, isusubmit yon ng council sa amin, for proper guidance ngayon mina-mapping, threat, assessment and mapping (In group chats, you will know who gets threats, list it down then the council will submit it to use for proper guidance and mapping, threat assessment and mapping)," Egco continued.
He said the guidelines on establishing PTFoMS council will immediately be downloaded to Bicol.
Egco also said there is a PTFoMS protocol handbook that serves as "Dos and Don’ts" guide to journalists on what to do when they receive a threat, or are physically harmed, subjected to surveillance, or when one of them is killed.
"At least 10,000 copies of the said handbook will be distributed in different regions in the country," he noted.
Egco said the PTFoMS is now going to the grassroots, holding seminars to let the media in the regions know that there is a task force ready to help them.
He added with the PTFoMS informed of threats against the lives of newsmen, they could be provided with an armed escort or with an intelligence cover acting appropriately for their protection.
Egco also explained that "vulnerable" has been chosen as an appropriate term in reporting about media killings. “Vulnerability brings images of hope, proactivity, positivity and eventual victory by addressing their vulnerability,” he said.
The official said based on records, Mindanao tops the list of media killings in the country because of the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre where 32 media practitioners were killed in one incident.
"Meanwhile, since Bicol has already 9 cases, I think it is also among the top regions," he said.
Egco was in Albay on Wednesday to look into the killing of broadcaster Joey Llana.
He assured local newsmen that the PTFoMS is committed in helping solve the crime and bringing justice to the victim's family.
"Delay is okay but failure is not an option," Egco said. (PNA)
