NBI, PTFoMS boost campaign against media killings

Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco 

MANILA -- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran has promised to work closely with Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco to boost the government’s relentless efforts to prevent media killings and harassment in the country.

“NBI is working closely with the PTFOMs of Usec. Joel in monitoring online threats and other big crimes against media workers,” Gierran said in a video statement posted on PTFoMS’ Facebook page.

Gierran said no less than Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra who gave the NBI a marching order go after the media killers. “If we cannot bring perpetrators to justice, we will bring justice to them,” Gierran said.

According to a PTFoMS statement, Gierran’s warning is a manifestation of the commitment of the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to protect the life, liberty and security of media workers.

Guevarra, also co-chairman of PTFoMS, had promised to PTFoMS that he would not hesitate to send to jail the perpetrators of media killings and harassment.

Last week, Malacañang assured the PTFoMS is already investigating the death of Davao del Norte-based publisher and journalist Dennis Denora.

Denora, publisher of Trends and Times, a community paper in Davao del Norte, was killed by riding-in-tandem gunmen in an ambush in Panabo City last June 7.

In October 2016, Duterte dedicated his first Administrative Order to the creation of PTFoMS to address media killings that have occurred even during previous administrations.

The PTFoMS has so far conducted three regional trainings and seminars on how police, prosecutors and the media can work closely in providing safer working environment for the media. (PNA/By Jelly Musico/Re-posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)