Circular on police treatment of journalists out in August —task force

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is set to issue next month a circular that would guide police on how to treat journalists, the  Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Tuesday. 

PTFMoS Executive Director Paulino Gutierrez said the circular may be issued in the second week of August. 

"Kahapon, um-attend tayo ng final review sa gagawing draft ng bagong circular that will guide the relationship between the media and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through the Napolcom," Gutierrez said in a media briefing during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

(We attended a final review of a draft of a circular that will guide the relationship between the media and the PNP through Napolcom.)

"Sa pamamagitan po ng ilalabas na circular, which I think will be effective by the second week of August, mabibigyan ng tamang gabay ang kapulisan sa pakikitugo para sa media," he added. 

(Through the circular, which I think will be effective by the second week of August, the police will be given guide on proper treatment of the media.)

Comelec, PTFoMS ink MOA

The Comelec and PTFoMS inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in Intramuros, Manila to safeguard media workers from violence and harassment during the 2025 national and local elections (NLE). 

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said under the agreement, all forms of violence against media personnel during the campaign and election period may be considered an election offense. 

"Because of this partnership with the PTFoMS, we are assured, everybody will be assured that we can always consider any act as an election offense in order to help the task force," Garcia said.

"Para mapadali rin ang prosecution at ma-emphasize sa lahat ng kandidato and cohorts of candidates who wanted to commit violence against the member of the media that there's always the Comelec and the PTFoMS joining in partnership to prevent such crimes and to punish them just in case," the Comelec chief added. 

(This will hasten the prosecution and remind all candidates and their cohorts that there’s always the Comelec and the PTFoMS joining in partnership to prevent such crimes and to punish them just in case.)

Gutierrez, for his part, welcomed the "significant" agreement.

"Moving forward, narito po ang task force and sa pamamagitan ng MOA na ito, 'di man natin maiiwasan na magkaron ng karahasan, masisigurado natin na mananatili na nandiyan ang sistema ng hustisya sa tuwing may umaabuso sa ating karapatan,” he said. 

(Moving forward, the task force is here and through this MOA, we will ensure the justice system is here against any violation of the rights of the media.)

The poll body likewise signed a MOA with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to help rebel returnees reintegrate into society and cast their votes. 

The Philippines will hold its midterm election in May 2025. —KBK, GMA Integrated News