Task force tackles media harrassment during polls

President Marcos' media security task force yesterday expressed "serious concern" over the reported incidents of harassment that targeted journalists during the midterm polls and vowed to pursue charges against those who put the lives of members of media at risk.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) said it is investigating such incidents with the Philippine National Police's Media Security Vanguards and would take appropriate action in coordination with media groups.

"Such acts undermine press freedom and the essential role of the media in a democratic society," PTFOMS executive director Jose Torres Jr. said in a statement.

"We do not tolerate attacks on media professionals who are performing their duties as responsible citizens during the elections. We will vigorously pursue cases against those found to be endangering the lives of journalists," he added.

The task force cited the attack on the vehicle of the former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club in Sagay, Camiguin on May 10, which is now being investigated by the police; the reported slingshot threat against a news crew from TV 48 and radio dwNE in Nueva Ecija by a member of a barangay peacekeeping action team and "aggressive actions" by a village chief; the alleged intimidation of Quezon City radio reporter Rambo Labay by a group of men while he was covering vote buying claims.