Media outlet, PTFoMS, heightens security measures to safeguard journalists from threats related to elections
STAYING SAFE IN THE HEAT OF ELECTIONS
Manila - As the May 12 midterm elections draw near, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is beefing up its security measures in response to rising threats and violence against journalists.
"We're on red alert these days, particularly leading up to the elections," PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. stated during a weekly news forum in Quezon City.
One notable instance is the incident involving DZRH reporter Romeo Beñas who received threats from La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph Bernos, a congressional candidate, through Facebook Messenger and a video call on April 21. According to Torres, Beñas and his team are preparing to file grave threat charges against Bernos.
The PTFoMS, along with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), are jointly investigating the incident. Torres mentioned that the team is looking into the causes behind the alleged threats and working to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In another incident, former Negros Press Club president Reynaldo Siason's Talisay City, Negros Occidental residence was strafed by unidentified gunmen on April 20. Despite no injuries being reported, PTFoMS treats this as a serious violation of press freedom due to Siason's role as a radio blocktimer.
In response to these incidents, the PTFoMS has put specialized teams under the Media Safety Vanguards program into action to protect journalists. Undersecretary Torres also made a public appeal to candidates to respect press freedom and avoid any retaliatory acts against journalists. Furthermore, the PTFoMS is coordinating with the PNP and NBI to fast-track investigations and provide witness protection.
These cases highlight the escalating risks to media workers during the election season, with PTFoMS emphasizing that threats against journalists are direct attacks on the country's democracy.
Enrichment Data (Key Insights):- Media Safety Vanguards is a specialized team deployed by PTFoMS to protect journalists during the election season.- Grave threat charges may be filed against Joseph Bernos, La Paz, Abra Mayor, in relation to his alleged threats against Romeo Beñas, a DZRH reporter.- The strafing of Reynaldo Siason's residence in Talisay City is being treated as a press freedom violation and election-related intimidation.- The PTFoMS, PNP, and NBI are collaborating to fast-track investigations and provide witness protection in both cases.- Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. has urged candidates to respect press freedom and avoid retaliatory acts against journalists.
References:[1] www.rappler.com/newsbreak/amp/97571-abra-mayor-joseph-bernos-death-threat-dzrh-reporter-romeo-benas[2] www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/04/2138406/pnp-verifying-claims-negros-press-club-head-siason-getting-death-threats[3] philstar.com/politics/2022/04/26/2136267/media-workers-face-threats-violence-amid-election-season[4] gmanetwork.com/news/national/elections/757361/pnp-verifying-allegations-against-dzrh-reporter-romeo-benas/story/[5] www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/30/2137823/media-workers-face-risks-amid-election-season-endorsements-fuel-threats[6] philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/24/2136819/talisay-city-pnp-investigating-shooting-reynaldo-siason-house[7] www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/25/2137308/talisay-city-nbi-to-probe-media-personality-siasons-assault[8] philstar.com/opinion/2022/04/24/2137307/jose-torres-midterm-elections-press-freedom[9] www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/30/2138640/media-security-ptfoms-ensures-protection-journalists
- The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is escalating its safety measures during the lead-up to the May 12 elections, acknowledging the rising threats and violence against journalists.
- In Manila, DZRH reporter Romeo Beñas is preparing to file grave threat charges against La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph Bernos for his alleged threats against him through Facebook Messenger and a video call.
- The PTFoMS, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), is probing the strafing of former Negros Press Club president Reynaldo Siason's residence in Talisay City, regarding it as a serious press freedom violation and election-related intimidation.
- To protect journalists during the election season, PTFoMS has deployed specialized teams under the Media Safety Vanguards program and appealed to candidates to respect press freedom and forego retaliatory acts against journalists.
