By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday (July 14) agreed to strengthen security for media practitioners.
During the courtesy call, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez said “it’s a good opportunity to intensify the good working relationship between the officials of PDEA and PTFoMS.”
Nerez added that in the community service, there’s a need for a mouthpiece.
The PDEA chief assured that there will be a monthly press conference for dissemination of news and information for the Filipino people.
Nerez stressed that the law (Republic Act 9165) mandates the presence of members of the media during PDEA operations, wherein their security is of paramount consideration.
“Those who will attend a court hearing, the PDEA will provide the vehicle, escort and allowance,” Nerez said.
He added that Jimmy Mendoza, President of PDEA Press Corps, will be the focal person for the media.
“Out of the four witnesses, only two witnesses are to be considered in the stipulation if the defense would agree during pre-trial, arraignment and hearing,” Nerez said.
“There’s no problem with transportation as PDEA has many service vehicles. Just secure a proper close coordination with concerned officials,” he added.
PDEA has a list of top stories everyday on their website.
The PDEA has the sole mandate in the anti-drug campaign of the government.
The Supply Reduction Demand Reduction Committee would like that the amount of the illegal drugs seized need not be mentioned, only the volume or weight needs to be mentioned, so as to prevent enticement.
Based on the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, the PDEA Regional Offices must secure court orders prior to their anti-drug operations.
Nerez cited the significant role of the media on the awareness on the I’ll effects of illegal drugs.
He pointed out that a letter of guarantee can be requested from the OP (Office of the President) for the medical assistance needs of members of the media, including the family members of the media, who need hospitalization.
Nerez noted that the PTFoMS is now crafting the module for the Seminar on Drug Reporting for the Media and the PDEA is more than willing to conduct it.
“Jail the pusher and save the user,” he quoted President Marcos, Jr. as saying.
PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Jose A. Torres, Jr. said
“It’s oftentimes that there are only two media representatives during the buy-bust operations of PDEA,” Torres said.
Usec. Torres had been a former Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) who has expertise on strategic communications for the government.
Torres explained the much-needed good working relationship with the members of the media for a more strategic dissemination of the anti-drug campaign of the government.
“If there are concerns on the security of the media, the PTFoMS can also provide security for them,” Torres said.
Torres added that security for the journalists and investigation of work-related incidents involving media practitioners are the mandates of the PTFoMS.
” Maybe we can hold a seminar on drugs reporting, or the landscape of what we are doing now for half-day,” Torres said.
“The editors even to the anchors should understand that there are issues being encountered when it comes to reporting,” he added.
“The President is very much interested on data-driven and science-based reporting,” Torres said.
“For the media, we can also provide guidelines protocols,” he added.
Also present were Assistant Secretary Renato A. Gumban, PDEA Deputy Director General for Operations, and PDEA officials, namely Dr. Laurefel P. Gables, Director of Public Information Office; Dir. Emerson L. Margate, Director of Intelligence Service; Dir. Francis S. Del Valle, Director of Legal and Prosecution Service; Dir. Restie R. Lamorena, Director of Preventive Education and Community Involvement Service; Dir. Naravy D. Duquiatan, Superintendent of PDEA Academy; and Dir. Martin R. Francia, Director of Investigation Service, and PTFoMS Officers Lt. Col. Eisen Vicente and Atty. Glenn Peralta. ###
