Media killings during Marcos admin immediately addressed –PTFoMS

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said on Tuesday that media-related killings during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s administration were immediately addressed.

“Over all, ‘yung mga nai-report na kaso sa ilalim ni Pangulong Marcos, ay natugunan naman ng mabilis,” said PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez during the 2023 Nationwide Media Summit.

(Over all, the reported cases under President Marcos were dealt with quickly.)

The summit, titled "Promoting a Free and Responsible Press Towards a Safer Media Community," was held at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila.

“May mga warrant, ‘yung mga suspect nakakulong, ‘yung iba naman hinahanap tulad ng sa kaso ni Percy Lapid. In the case naman ng nangyari sa Mindoro, mismong pinuntahan natin yung isa sa mga tinuturong suspect, nasa custody na ng NBI at nagsisimula na yung hearing ng kaso,” he added.

(There are warrants, the suspects are in jail, others were being sought, like in the case of Percy Lapid. In the Mindoro case, we personally went to one of the suspects who was in the custody of the NBI. Hearings on the case are about to begin.)

In October 2022, radio broadcaster Percy Lapid was killed in an ambush in Las Pinas City, while Cris Bundoquin was shot and killed in  Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro in May.

Gutierrez also noted that the suspect behind the shooting involving photojournalist Joshua Abiad in June 2023 had also been arrested.

The PTFoMS, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to protect journalists and ensure that any threats or acts of violence against them were addressed and prosecuted.

"As we strive for a safer media community, we must also recognize the risk that journalists face," said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who was unable to attend the event but relayed his message through Gutierrez.

"The Department of Justice, in partnership with PAO, remains committed to protecting the rights of the journalists. The safety of our media practitioners is paramount," he added.

Meanwhile, Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta joined the call to stop media killings and attacks.

"Kung may sama ng loob sa ating mga kapatid sa media, daanin po sa legal na pamanaraan at hindi sa pamamagitan ng armas o dahas. Sana po, legal battle nalang, hindi armas laban sa armas," Acosta said.

(If there is a grudge against our brothers and sisters in the media, please go through the legal process and not through weapons or violence. I hope it's a legal battle, not weapon against weapon.)

The PTFoMS, in partnership with the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), held a nationwide seminar to ensure a safe environment for media workers.

Representatives from various media companies attended the seminar.

Influencers

Undersecretary Gutierrez said the government viewed the take over by social media influencers and vloggers as the public's primary sources of information as a challenge that had yet to be addressed.

"'Yan ang malaking challenge, hindi pa naming nare-resolve yan, kasi there are so many. That's why ang panawagan naming diyan dapat magbuo sila na sariling grupo, because let us admit it, masyadong malaya ang pamamamahayag sa Pilipinas that the government cannot simply step in and regulate," he noted.

(That's the big challenge, we haven't resolved it yet, because there are so many. That's why we call on them to form their own group, because let us admit it, the press in the Philippines is so free that the government cannot simply step in and regulate.)

Gutierrez also warned of the dangers that social media influencers and vloggers may face as they are prone to spreading misinformation and fake news.

"The danger there is misinformation, fake news, and disinformation ay hindi lang nagcre-create ng intriga, delikado pa buhay mo," he added.

(The danger there is misinformation, fake news, and disinformation; not only does it create intrigue, but it also puts your life in danger.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News