Bacolod cops eye issuing 'excess' firearms to local media

Amid the continued threat to media practitioners under the new administration, police in Bacolod City are considering issuing "excess" firearms to local media who may have received threats. But local media are not too thrilled with the idea, saying it may not be the solution to the "culture of impunity" blamed for the killings. "I believe that it is not all the time that we could be around to protect the media, so if they are on their own, at least they could have something to protect them," acting Bacolod City police director Senior Superintendent Celestino Guara said in a report by Visayas-based news site Visayan Daily Star late Saturday. Guara brought up the suggestion during a courtesy call on him by members of the Negros Press Club Friday. He said the Western Visayas police office is due to issue 70 short firearms to the Bacolod City police this coming week. Saying they will likely have enough firepower for the police with the additional budget of P5 million coursed through Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. for the Bacolod City police Special Weapons and Tactics team, they could issue at least 15 firearms to media practitioners who need them. But Guara clarified he will not push through with the plan if there is opposition to it. He also made clear only those who have received threats, or those who need to defend themselves, will be issued guns. So far, he said he has not yet received complaints from media practitioners in the city that they are being threatened. For his part, Negros Press Club president Julius Mariveles said that while Guara's move may be well-meant, it is not a solution to the killing of journalists. “What we are after is an end to the culture of impunity which I think is the ultimate solution to the killing of journalists," Mariveles said. This means that all unresolved killings of journalists should be resolved by the current administration and the killers should be captured, and the mastermind should be known, he said. “I think that would put a stop to the killings," he added. Mariveles added that it is the responsibility of the state to protect not only journalists but its citizens. "I think government should not be remiss in its obligations," he said. Meanwhile, the NPC and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, headed by provincial police director Senior Supt. Manuel Felix, will hold a dialog with media practitioners on July 17 concerning media killings and security plans for the media. The meeting is in connection with the directive from PNP higher headquarters to protect the journalists. At least two journalists have been attacked with deadly force under the new administration. On Friday night, unidentified motorcycle-riding men shot and wounded radio reporter Miguel Belen, 48, in Camarines Sur province. A week earlier, Jose Daguio was shot dead in Tabuk City, with police claiming that cattle rustlers were behind the killing.—JV, GMANews.TV