Sanctions mulled vs meddling mediamen in hostage taking By Benjamin B. Pulta 09/14/2010

Sanctions mulled vs meddling mediamen in hostage taking
By Benjamin B. Pulta
09/14/2010

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday said the inter-agency body investigating the bungled hostage rescue may consider recommending possible sanctions against individuals and organizations including mediamen.

“We are deliberating on that, on who are to be held accountable and the filing of appropriate charges. As to the extent of the recommendation in the report that is being discussed,” De Lima, also the chairman of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), confirmed when asked by reporters on the likelihood of possible charges against mediamen who may have interfered with law enforcers during the tense stand-off in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park last Aug. 23.

“Of course there will be an issue of press freedom but as you know it is not really an absolute right inasmuch as we recognize press freedom but there are restrictions on press freedom on the interest of public order,” she stressed.

“The department order between the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and the DoJ (Department of Justice) includes the appropriate civil, criminal or administrative charges as may be warranted,” De Lima said.

Among the resource persons who testified before the IIRC during its five-day fact-finding investigation were Radio Mindanao Network spokesman Jake Maderazo, RMN reporter Michael Rogas,.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100914hed4.html