News blackout during hostage situations sought

A lawmaker from central Philippines on Tuesday proposed a news blackout during hostage crisis situations, saying the media’s live coverage during Monday’s deadly hostage-taking incident in Manila may have jeopardized the police operation. “Care should be taken to avoid disclosure of vital information to the perpetrators until the crisis situation is resolved," said Cebu Rep. Luis Quisumbing in filing House Bill No. 2737. Nine hostages, most of them tourists from Hong Kong, were killed in the 11-hour crisis that is expected to affect the country’s tourism industry. Quisumbing said his bill doesn’t aim to curtail press freedom. “Our bill guarantees that once the crisis is settled, media will have full access to information about the police or military operations and coverage shall not be restricted," he said. He said the primary intention of his proposal is to protect the lives of policemen and soldiers in such situations. The bill prohibits media personnel from reporting positions, movements and actions of the police and military during hostage-taking situations and other similar incidents like bomb threats, coup d’ etat, and kidnapping. The police and military leadership may provide an update to media but shall not provide vital information on operations that may be used in support of or by the perpetrators during the crisis situation. Once the situation has been resolved, the police and the military will provide the full details of the operation and shall not restrict access or coverage by the media. Those who will violate the bill, once enacted, shall suffer imprisonment from six months to six years or a fine of P20,000. Meanwhile, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo filed House Resolution 277 directing the appropriate committee to conduct an investigation into Monday’s hostage crisis perpetrated by dismissed policeman Ronaldo Mendoza, who was killed in a nighttime assault by members of the SWAT team. “This is the final time that we should now seriously study all the angles of the incident starting from the reasons why Mendoza has to resort to what he did, to the explanation of the police authorities why they have failed to negotiate and handle the crisis properly and systematically," he said in a statement. Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Versoza, Manila Police District head Rodolfo Magtibay and other involved police officials must be sacked from their posts for the allegedly bungled rescue operation. He also asked the Aquino government to make necessary diplomatic measures to protect Filipino communities in Hong Kong. Mariano said more than 150,000 OFWs are working in Hong Kong, most of them as domestic helpers. - KBK, GMANews.TV