PTFoMS reported zero election-related incident involving mediamen

THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) reported zero election-related incident involving members of the Fourth Estate during the just concluded 2022 local and national polls.

This announcement came as those recorded threats, harassment, stabbing and shooting incidents involving members of the media did not reflect motives in relation to their duties during the election period. These were recorded from February 14, 2022 to May 16, 2022.

The PNP Public Information Office identified the reported cases as those coming from Regions 5, 8, 10, Cordillera Administrative Region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Nevertheless, the PNP vows to proceed with deeper probe regarding these reported incidents despite falling short from the criteria of an election-related incident.

“The creation of Media Vanguards within our organization has created a huge impact in safeguarding our media practitioners who took the role of being our information frontliner this election season,” PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said.

Since the launching of the Media Vanguards, all police stations and units nationwide have activated their desks to accept media-related complaints, verify, and assist in handling these cases.

“The offshoot of this initiative can be observed with the strong relationship between the media industry and law enforcers such as the PNP,” Danao said.

Danao added that given the higher confidence to report on the elections, media practitioners were moved to deliver stories that are accurate, transparent and relevant to the general public.

“It became a tool for the PNP to reach a wider audience with the premise that these vital information can help in increasing the public’s awareness of the developments in this election,” Danao said.

Danao gives credit to those who took part in securing the conduct of elections and fighting disinformation to effectively guide the voters.