The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) have reminded police officers against red-tagging or threatening members of the press.
On Friday, both agencies signed an agreement reinforcing the protection of media workers’ rights and preventing law enforcers from engaging in acts of intimidation or harassment against journalists.
“The use of force against media, red-tagging and issuing statements that place media journalists at risk, and retaliatory actions against media practitioners for critical coverage are no longer allowed,” NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson Rafael Calinisan said in his speech after the agreement signing.
“We will uphold respect and protection for all members of the media,” he added.
The agreement between NAPOLCOM and PTFoMS provides a case referral, investigation, and monitoring system for administrative cases filed by media practitioners over alleged rights violations by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
It also establishes a referral system for protective custody and psychosocial support for complainants, as well as a review of existing PNP rules on media relations.
“Media workers shall refer to individuals engaged in journalistic activities, including the production and dissemination of information in the public interest through an editorial process,” PTFoMS Director Jose Torres Jr. said.
“This includes but is not limited to media educators, reporters, anchorpersons, commentators, columnists, opinion writers, campus journalists, and photojournalists,” he added.
If police officers violate media workers’ rights, Calinisan said NAPOLCOM may file administrative cases for grave misconduct.
“We will teach our friends from the PNP not to do that to our media practitioners. We will not allow that and we will never allow that,” Calinisan said.
The National Press Club joined NAPOLCOM, PTFoMS, and PNP in signing the agreement.
For his part, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Chairperson Jonathan de Santos welcomed the development.
“We, of course, welcome closer collaboration between PTFoMS and NAPOLCOM, especially on ensuring press freedom and freedom of expression as well as on case referral in cases of potential attacks and violations by police personnel,” de Santos said in a message.
