THE Marcos government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure the safety of media workers and safeguard media freedom in the country by “protecting the life, rights, safety and liberty of all journalists and media practitioners,” the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) said yesterday.
The PTFOMS issued the statement as it joined the commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre.
It also reminded journalists and media practitioners to report any and all incidents of threat and harassment to authorities to enable thorough and swift investigations as well as the provision of police security, if warranted.
“The safety and security of all members of the press is a primary concern of the Marcos Administration,” the task force said as it recalled the promise of President Marcos Jr. to “support and protect the rights of the media” as well as to “be ready to lend an ear and to listen to your concerns and to answer all that you may want to know.”
On November 23, 2009, a convoy of about 58 people on their way to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao to file a certificate of candidacy was ambushed and killed, including 31 journalists and media workers who were there to cover the event.
On December 19, 2019, Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes convicted members of the Ampatuan clan, including Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan, of 57 counts of murder along with 27 other co-accused as principals and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua without parole, while 15 others were sentenced to six to 10 years of imprisonment for being accessories.
The court also awarded more than P155 million worth of damages to the victims and their families.
PTFOMS said that to date, 45 of the accused have been convicted for the massacre. They remain in jail while appealing the decision.
PTFOMS also said that one of the best examples of Marcos’ commitment to press freedom is the importance given by the administration in bringing to justice those behind the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.
The swift probe and filing of charges against those linked to the incident also served as a “warning that no less than the full force of Presidential power will be brought to bear upon those who, for whatever end, seek to do harm to the members of the press.”
