PNP publishes security handbook for journalists

Published October 7, 2010 12:38pm

The Philippine National Police has published a Handbook on "Personal Security Measures for Media Practitioners," to provide protection for journalists facing threats due to the nature of their profession. â€œThe intention is to provide media practitioners with the basic knowledge and practical skills in securing themselves and their family, determining possible threats and improving communications among all concerned including local PNP units," PNP Chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo said. Bacalzo said the publication of the handbook â€œis timely as no less than President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has directed the PNP to address the unlawful killings of media and militants particularly the investigation of cases as well as boosting security measures for those under threat." Since 2001, the PNP Task Force Usig has recorded 39 work-related fatal attacks against media personalities. Task Force Usig has also solved 85% of the cases of slain journalists. Bacalzo, who once headed Task Force Usig, emphasized that â€œthe police can never secure every single citizen every minute of the day. But studies suggest that some of the deaths could have been prevented if a few basic precautions had been followed." â€œI therefore call upon our friends in the media sector to study and internalize on the precautionary measures and security tips that are intended to protect you and your family from the most commonly employed attacks,â€œ Bacalzo said. â€œIt is the desire of the PNP leadership to assist members of media by providing means for journalist to be properly oriented on security consciousness and threat awareness," he added. The Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) under Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac has published an initial 2,000 copies of the 48-page handbook. These will be circulated to the police regional offices and local media clubs in the regions. â€œIt is the desire of the PNP leadership to assist members of media by providing the means for journalist to be trained on security consciousness and threat awareness," Cacdac said. The 48-page handbook contains topics on:

threat detection and assessment;

basic guidance of personal security measures;

introductory instructions on counter-surveillance and evasive techniques;

home, workplace and travel security, and

handling threats. â€œThe security tips included in this handbook are designed to arm and empower media practitioners to effectively protect themselves and their families against criminality and other forms of threats and danger," Cacdac said. â€œPersonal security is a personal concern, the greater effort you put into the task, the greater will be the degree of safety," Cacdac said. PNP Spokesman, Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said related training seminars will be held in the Police Regional Offices for local journalists. The training module will involve lectures on:

threat detection and assessment;

counter-surveillance, and

evasive techniques to make journalists less vulnerable to threats of violence. Cruz clarified that the decision to arm oneâ€™s self is purely a personal option for journalists. â€œWe are just providing them with the knowledge and basic skills in case they feel the need to bear arms as an added security protection," the PNP Spokesman said. Earlier this week, the first ever police-media protocol on coverage of police operations was forged in Western Visayas. This was initiated by Police Regional Office 6 under Chief Supt Samuel Pagdilao Jr. and local media organizations in Panay Island and Negros Occidental. â€“VVP, GMANews.TV

Tags: philippinenationalpolice, media, journalists