QCPD urges journalists to report threats

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) held a dialogue with members of media yesterday, urging journalists to immediately report any threats they might receive to police.

Superintendent Constante Agpaoa, head of the QCPD’s District Police Community Relations, said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) issued on June 22 an order to police districts to engage journalists in dialogues and “discuss security measures and to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents.”

The NCRPO directive was issued following the deaths of radiomen Desiderio Dona Cama­ng­­­yan in Davao Oriental and Joselito Agustin in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Agpaoa said they will accommodate any journalist who will report threats against him or her. He said the QCPD’s District Intelligence Division will investigate such reports.

Agpaoa said the QCPD could provide security escorts to journalists in distress following an assessment. He added that if a journalist is facing immediate danger, the QCPD can quickly send police units to his aide through hotlines 920-9378 and 0915-2581066.

Agpaoa also said the QCPD will help journalists who own firearms take out necessary permits, and expedite the process of acquiring guns for those who still do not own firearms.