ON THE JOB. Photographer Jose Monsieur Santos (center), 23, lost his digital camera, accessories, laptop and other items while recovering a demolition in Silang Cavite on April 20, 2024. On Thursday (April 25), the Presidential Task Force on Media Security reported that the Calabarzon Region and Cavite police and Silang Mayor Alston Kevin Anarna assisted Santos in recovering his things from Jarton Security Agency which illegally confiscated them. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Thursday commended the police for its swift assistance to a freelance photojournalist whose belongings were illegally seized by members of a private security agency in Silang, Cavite.
In a news release, the PTFoMS said Jose Monsieur Santos, 23, a member of the Filipino Freelance Journalists’ Guild and correspondent of news outfit One PH, sought the task force’s assistance after unidentified members of the Jarton Security Agency forcibly confiscated his equipment while covering a demolition operation in a disputed property in Barangay Tartaria past midnight on April 20.
Among the confiscated items were Santos’ Nikon D750 DSLR camera, two camera lenses, press chest vest, Kevlar helmet and backpack containing his computer tablet, laptop, mess kit and other personal items.
Despite introducing himself as a member of the press and repeated appeal to have his seized personal items returned to him, the security guards refused, Santos told PTFoMS.
Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, PTFoMS Executive Director, sought police assistance through Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A) Director, Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas and Cavite Police Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo Jr.
Gutierrez also sought the assistance of the PRO-4A press corps in disseminating the incident.
Silang Police chief Lt. Col. Louie DC Gonzaga received PTFoMS’ request and took the initiative of recovering the items seized, in coordination with the office of Mayor Alston Kevin Anarna.
However, since the recovered belongings were incomplete, Santos refused to claim them, upon the advice of his lawyer.
They are now preparing the filing of criminal charges against Jarton Security Agency for theft.
Despite this, Santos still expressed gratitude to the PTFoMS for its prompt action in assisting him.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez commended the Calabarzon police office and Anarna for their effort in not only assisting Santos and the affected tenants but also in easing the tension in Barangay Tartaria.
A reported 137 farmers were reportedly being evicted from the property by the security agency hired by private firms despite the pending decision of the Supreme Court and the Department of Agrarian Reform on land ownership.
Gutierrez particularly lauded Gonzaga for ensuring the return of Santos’ stolen items and his assurance that the photojournalist would get full police assistance and security in Silang should he decide to pursue charges against Jarton Security Agency.
“It this kind of voluntary and sincere inter-agency cooperation that makes the PTFoMS effective in discharging its mandate as the government’s official mechanism to address all violations of media rights,” Gutierrez said.
“With every agency working together, we assure our colleagues in the media that their right to perform their job as truth seekers is being protected by the government,” he added. (PNA)
