DOJ removes press offices, calls journalists 'security threats'

Manila, Philippines -  Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the removal of two press offices from the Department of Justice (DOJ) main building, with officials saying members of media have been found to be a “threat to security” and an “obstruction to effective dispensation of services.”

DOJ Undersecretaries Jose Vicente Salazar, Leah Armamento and Francisco Baraan III, during a dialogue with the members of the Justice and Court Reporters Association (JUCRA) and Justice Reporters Organization (JUROR) Thursday afternoon, claimed that De Lima’s decision is supposedly based on the recommendation made by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

Armamento alleged that the DOJ officials’ accessibility to media is considered a “nightmare” by NICA.

However, DOJ officials refused to provide copies of the report, which they said recommends that members of media and DOJ employees have only limited access to offices of DOJ executives. They said NICA recommends that the second floor – where De Lima’s office and the two press offices are currently located – be restricted.

Salazar also said he believes that the DOJ will be able to work more efficiently if the press offices are moved to another building.

“We are implementing some policies which we believe can actually help the operation of our department and we are asking our own people to accommodate us,” he told reporters during the meeting.

When asked what they will do to the two press offices after the reporters have left, the DOJ undersecretaries said they still do not have plans for the rooms.

Members of JUCRA and JUROR protested the plan. The DOJ officials said they will tackle the journalists’ concerns in their executive committee meeting.

JUCRA has occupied a room at the second floor of the DOJ since 1977, after its founding members inked an agreement with then justice secretary Vicente Abad Santos, according to its most senior member, Reynaldo Panaligan. JUCRA’s room houses about 40 reporters and crew of television, print and online media outfits.

JUROR, on the other hand, was set up in the mid-1980s when President Corazon Aquino assumed power. JUROR’s room houses over 20 radio and tabloid reporters.