Media Security
PTFoMS welcomes report citing PH gains in safety of journos
March 14, 2021, 5:02 pm
MANILA – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) recognition of the Philippines’ significant progress in protecting journalists is a “validation” of the Duterte administration’s efforts to uphold press freedom in the country, the Presidential… Read More
PTFoMS orders manhunt vs. suspect in broadcaster slay
March 7, 2021, 12:31 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its manhunt for fugitive Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, the primary suspect in the murder of broadcaster Eduardo Sanchez Dizon in Kidapawan City. In a memorandum issued to… Read More
Davao del Norte journo killer nabbed
February 24, 2021, 1:08 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has announced the recent arrest of Richard Posas Bolastig, one of the suspected gunmen in the murder of journalist Dennis Denora, with the active involvement of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office. In a report submitted to… Read More
Andanar pushes for media workers' inclusion in vax priority list
January 27, 2021, 7:10 pm
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar stressed the need for media workers to be prioritized in the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine once it is available. In a virtual interview on RMN DYZL Manila on Wednesday, Andanar, who is a staunch supporter of… Read More
Constructive criticisms welcome under Duterte admin: Andanar
January 19, 2021, 6:01 pm
CEBU CITY – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the Duterte administration maintains its good relation with the private media, emphasizing that the government welcomes constructive criticisms as a gesture of recognizing the freedom of the press.… Read More
Media workers' welfare bill gets final House nod
January 18, 2021, 6:15 pm
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly approved on third reading a bill providing enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers. With 218 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and no abstention, the chamber passed on final reading House Bill 8140 or the… Read More
50 journalists lost lives in 2020, says global NGO
December 29, 2020, 9:28 pm
50 journalists lost lives in 2020, says global NGO ANKARA – At least 50 journalists were reported killed in 2020, more than one-third in the countries considered “at peace", according to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) -- an international NGO that safeguards the right to freedom of… Read More
PTFoMS observes landmark conviction of Ampatuan massacre suspects
December 20, 2020, 12:37 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to heed the cries for justice of the victims' real families and colleagues by classifying the case as resolved. The PTFoMS made the statement on… Read More
Palace condemns killing of Pangasinan newsman, vows swift justice
November 10, 2020, 2:51 pm
MANILA – Describing it as an act of cowardice, Malacañang strongly condemned the killing of radio announcer Virgilio S. Maganes in Villasis, Pangasinan on Tuesday morning and vowed to hunt down and punish those responsible. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Virgilio Maganes and… Read More
Targeting journalists takes toll on ‘societies as a whole’: UN
November 3, 2020, 3:34 pm
NEW YORK – When journalists are targeted, "societies as a whole pay a price", the UN chief said on Monday, on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. "If we do not protect journalists, our ability to remain informed and make evidence-based decisions is severely… Read More
Suspect in Kidapawan radioman slay joins NPA: PTFoMS
October 16, 2020, 6:51 pm
MANILA – In a desperate attempt to evade justice for the killing of Brigada News FM–Kidapawan station manager Eduardo Sanchez Dizon, prime suspect Dante Encarnacion Tabusares a.k.a. Bong Encarnacion has cowered behind the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA)… Read More
PCOO lauds House panel approval of bill on media workers' welfare
September 21, 2020, 9:28 pm
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday welcomed the decision of the House Committee on Labor and Employment to approve the amended draft substitute bill to the proposed Act enhancing the benefits, protection, and security of media workers… Read More
PTFoMS condemns killing of ex-Sorsogon radioman
September 15, 2020, 4:14 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) denounced the killing of former radioman Jobert “Polpog” Bercasio who was gunned down by motorcycle riding-in-tandem gunmen near Seabreeze Homes in Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon on Monday night. "The government strongly condemns the… Read More
UNESCO classifies Ampatuan massacre case ‘resolved’
September 2, 2020, 8:33 pm
MANILA – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially classified the Ampatuan massacre as “resolved”, proof that the country’s justice system in safeguarding press freedom is truly working under the Duterte administration. Moez Chackchouk,… Read More
Data sharing deal to speed up probe on attacks vs. press: PCOO
September 2, 2020, 6:23 pm
MANILA – The signing of the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) between the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inter-Agency Committee Secretariat and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will ensure faster investigation and response on matters relating to media security, a Palace official said Wednesday.… Read More
Media Workers Welfare bill ‘a game changer’: solon
August 27, 2020, 1:41 pm
MANILA – All Filipino media workers will enjoy full protection in the performance of their duties as the proposed bill on the Media Workers’ Welfare nears final approval at the House of Representatives’ Committee on Labor and Employment. ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Niña Taduran, who sponsored… Read More
Missing cop key to solving Dumaguete broadcaster’s slay
August 16, 2020, 12:03 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said a missing cop holds the key to solving the killing of radio broadcaster Cornelio “Rex” Pepino in Dumaguete City. Citing reports from local investigators, the PTFoMS said Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Ruel D.… Read More
PTFoMS takes over probe of slain Dumaguete broadcaster
July 20, 2020, 1:09 pm
MANILA – For better and tighter coordination between law enforcement agencies, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has announced that it has taken over the probe into the gruesome murder of broadcaster Cornelio “Rex” Pepino. PTFoMS chairman and Justice Secretary Mernardo… Read More
Justice rolls out for slain Surigao del Sur broadcaster
June 25, 2020, 9:10 pm
MANILA – Rolly Mahilum, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Surigao del Sur DXBF Prime Broadcasting Network manager and anchor Christopher Iban “Chris Rapido” Lozada (Lozada) in October 2017, was finally brought to trial. This welcome development was announced Thursday by the… Read More
Probers in radio anchor slay bare threats
June 15, 2020, 9:11 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has expressed alarm over reports that investigators tasked to resolve the recent killing of Dumaguete City-based radio anchor Cornelio “Rex” Pepino are being subjected to serious threats and intimidation by some unscrupulous… Read More