PBBM vows media protection
The PTFoMS made the assurance as the country commemorated the 13th anniversary of the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre, where at least 32 media practitioners were killed
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The PTFoMS made the assurance as the country commemorated the 13th anniversary of the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre, where at least 32 media practitioners were killed
The administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. remains committed to protecting the life, rights, safety, and liberty of journalists and media workers, according to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
"The safety and security of all members of the press is a primary concern of the Marcos administration," the PTFoMS said in a statement on Thursday.
It made the assurance as the country commemorated the 13th anniversary of the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre, where at least 32 media practitioners were killed.
On 23 November 2009, a convoy of about 58 people on their way to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan town, was ambushed and killed.
This tragic incident placed the Philippines in second place in the Global Impunity Index released by the Committee to Protect Journalists, a US-based media advocacy group.
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On 19 December 2019, members of the Ampatuan clan including Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan were convicted by the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City of 57 counts of murder along with 27 other co-accused as principals, sentencing them to Reclusion Perpetua without parole, while 15 others were sentenced to six to 10 years for being accessories.
The PTFoMS recalled that the President, at a Manila Overseas Press Club event, vowed to support and protect the rights of the media as they perform their duty.
"Marcos' commitment to press freedom is best exemplified by the tremendous importance being given by his administration in finding those responsible for the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid," the PTFoMS said.
It added that this "served as a warning that no less than the full force of presidential power will be brought to bear upon those who, for whatever end, seek to do harm to the members of the press."
Meantime, the PTFoMS welcomed the decision of the House of Representatives to approve the proposed law seeking to grant media workers better benefits.
"The Presidential Task Force on Media Security is grateful for the unanimous approval by the House of Representatives of House Bill 454, otherwise known as the Media Workers Welfare Act, on the third and final reading," it said in a statement.
A total of 252 lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved on the third reading House Bill 454 or the Media Workers Welfare Act which seeks to provide media workers with hazard pay, a living wage, employment safety, and additional insurance and hospitalization benefits.
Under HB 454, media workers required to physically report for work in dangerous places, such as embattled and disease-stricken areas, will receive hazard pay of P500 a day and will be provided with safety gear, such as bulletproof vests and protective equipment, by their employer.
The bill also proposed that media workers shall be entitled to a P200,000 death benefit, disability benefit of up to P200,000, and medical insurance of up to P100,000.
During the 18th Congress, lawmakers also passed the MWWA bill unanimously but its counterpart bill remained pending in the Senate's Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development Committee and failed to pass into law.
