PNP Kalinga assures security of media workers during 2022 election

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Philippine National Police Kalinga assures the security of the media during election period, requesting journalists to report immediately to the police any threats or harassments against them.

In anticipation of the possible violent incidents involving the media during the national and local election period, the Department of Interior and Local Government earlier ordered the PNP to designate security focal persons to provide protection to media personalities who could face threats and intimidation.

Deputy Chief of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit of Kalinga Police Provincial Office, Police Major Garry Gayamos explained that the Provincial Information Officer at KPPO is designated as the ‘media security vanguard’ who will be the first to receive information and respond to any threats.

The PIO will be in charge of expediting the investigation and resolution of cases of violence, threats, harassments, and intimidation against members of the media in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

“Talaga nga maipatungpal daytoy ta in protection of the media, especially during the 2022 election. Basing on the past gamin ket adu ngay dagiay media iman nga na-harass, na-threat during election ditoy Pilipinas isunga isu iti purpose na daytoy,” Gayamos said.

Reporting of any threats received

Meantime, Police Lieutenant Colonel Richard Gadingan, Chief PCADU encouraged the members of the media in the province not to keep any threat or intimidation to themselves should there be any.

“para sa security niyo, nandito naman kami palagi … ‘wag niyong itago kung anong problema niyo … kasi sa trabaho niyo marami kayong masasagasaan,” he said.

Acting Kalinga Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Peter Tagtag Jr. added that by reporting with immediacy, the police response will be quicker.

“Hindi naman natin malalaman agad kung hindi kayo nagre-report. So kung palagay niyo may threat kayo in the course of practicing as a media, sabihin niyo lang sa amin para magkakaroon tayo ng investigation,” Tagtag conveyed.

‘Politicians to be prosecuted should they attempt to hurt media’ - DILG

Meanwhile, in an earlier press release, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya stressed that politicians will be prosecuted and will be held accountable should they attempt to harm media personnel.

“Kami po dito sa DILG, we wish to issue this warning against all politicians who are planning to inflict harm on the media. Through the PNP focal persons or the media security vanguards, we will make sure that you are prosecuted, and you are held accountable,” he emphasized.

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