PNP to hold seminar for members of media

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to minimize incidents of media killings, the Philippine National Police is set to hold a seminar for reporters regarding their safety and security.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa saw it fit to conduct a seminar to inform media practitioners various measures relative to their safety and security. Verzosa said the seminar entitled, “Security and Preventive Measures for Media Personalities,” was in response to President Arroyo’s order to the PNP to ensure zero political and media killings.

The PNP scheduled the lectures on April 18-19 that includes useful tips and guidelines that media practitioners could use in times of danger mainly caused by conflicts in their profession.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the PNP has invited about a hundred journalists from different media outfits.

In a letter sent to the PNP Press Corps based in Camp Crame in Quezon City, Bartolome said these series of lectures include threat detection, counter surveillance, ensuring personal security and gun marksmanship. Bartolome said the PNP also included hands-on familiarization of using a gun for defensive purposes on the events’ line up.

Task force Usig

Other than members of the PNP Press Corps with over 40 members, the PNP also invited members of the National Press Club, Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas, and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

Records showed that the Task Force Usig has filed 26 cases against 55 suspects involved in 31 work-related cases of slain journalists since 2001. Among the 55 suspects charged, 18 have been arrested, 10 surrendered, four have been convicted, 20 are at-large while three were killed in separate encounters with lawmen.

Of the 26 cases filed in court, 20 are undergoing trial, two were resolved with suspects convicted, while four cases were dismissed, said Task Force Usig chief Director Raul Bacalzo.

Bacalzo said the communist New People’s Army is involved in one case of slain journalist, while two military, four police, two mayors and 17 civilians are involved in the 26 cases being investigated by TF Usig.

The sole function of the Task Force Usig is to address unexplained killings of journalists and members of militant groups. TF Usig was created on May 13, 2006 after a number of unexplained killings of journalists and members of militant groups.