Ex-PIA chief named PTFoMS head

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has appointed a journalist and former Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief as head of the task force created to protect media workers.

Marcos named Jose Torres Jr. as executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) during a conference of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas in Tagaytay City.

“Under the helm of the newly appointed PTFoMS head, we strengthen our resolve in safeguarding the lives of media personnel,” Marcos said.

Torres succeeded Paul Gutierrez, whose tenure as PTFoMS executive director ended in September.

Prior to his appointment, Torres was director general of the PIA, the government’s official public information arm.