‘Duterte believes in freedom of the press’: Philippine president will create special task force to protect journalists
Meanwhile, two Philippine police officers are to be charged with murder after being unmasked as motorcycle-riding hitmen
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an administrative order to create a presidential task force to protect journalists and investigate attacks on media, in what is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the press.
A special unit comprised of cabinet ministers, police, defence and justice officials would spend a month compiling an inventory of outstanding cases before pursuing investigations, said Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
The Philippines enjoys one of the most liberal media environments in Asia, but violence against journalists is common and probes into killings are often inconclusive or hamstrung by lack of witness testimony.
“The reason why the president wanted this administrative order number 1 is because he cares for you, for us,” he told a regular briefing yesterday. “And he believes in freedom of the press.”
The reason why the president wanted this administrative order number 1 is because he cares for you, for us. And he believes in freedom of the press
The order was signed by Duterte on Tuesday and includes the formation of an oversight panel to scrutinise the probes and gather input from non-governmental sources, such as human rights and journalist groups. It would also monitor media personnel in danger and provide them with protection, Andanar said.