Manila Council declares war on IA
| BLURBAL THRUSTS |
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| Louie Logarta |
Camp Crame has just come out with a 48-page security handbook filled with tips which Filipino journalists — whom foreign media watchdogs have described as an “endangered species” because the government appears inutile and helpless in assuring their safety against those who’re out to do them harm to prevent them from coming out with the truth in their stories — may use if they so desire to help protect them against threats to their health and safety.
Since 1986, it is estimated that over 170 journalists have been killed in the Philippines thereby lending credence to the unkind epithet that the country is in the league of such places as Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Russia and Mexico as among the most dangerous for journalists.
Officials of the National Press Club said that while they wholly appreciated the publication of the handbook as a gesture by the present leadership of the Philippine National Police, led by the newly-appointed lawyer, Raul Bacalzo, Ph.D, in trying to address the unabated killings of journalists, its greatest shortcoming is the fact that there weren’t any consultations made by the authors with the end users or the beneficiaries of the effort.
Bacalzo said the prime objective of the handbook is simply to give mediamen pointers and practical knowledge regarding the ABCs of securing themselves and their families against possible threats to their safety..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101014com4.html
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