Capiz media group appreciates renewed campaign vs. journalist slays
Roxas City -- Capiz Independent Media Circle (CIMC) President Edmund De Asis expressed gratitude over recent moves of the government to map out ways to curb media killings.
CIMC is an organization of various tri-media practitioners in the province.
"The group has appealed in a manifesto to the national government and national media organizations on how to protect mediamen more than a year ago," said De Asis relating to a gathering of media representatives and key government officials to address extra-judicial execution of journalists.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided a top level meeting attended by top officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and representatives of media organizations to review efforts in the prosecution and prevention of media killings.
"Today let us join hands in mutual trust and common purpose so that all the violence will be stopped," Mrs. Arroyo said, adding that, "as we have made tough choices to turn around our economy we will also get a handle on these killings to end them once and for all."
She claimed that her administration has taken steps to end the murders, such as processing the recommendations of the Melo Commission tasked to probe the killings.
"First of all let me once again deplore the killings of journalists. We have a sorry history in our nation for political violence. We aim to break this cycle of violence once and for all," the President said.
She added that, "I happen to believe that 99 percent of military and policemen and women are good, outstanding and loyal patriots fighting to protect our country everyday. But if rogue members of police and military are involved we've all agreed that they shall be punished."
President Arroyo assigned Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco to handle court cases of media killings in the country.
The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and various media groups are set to sign a memorandum of agreement that will give additional protection to journalists in the country.
A special meeting will be conducted between the signatories every three months to review the progress of moves to run after the perpetrators behind journalist killings.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Melchor Rosales, PNP chief Oscar Calderon, Task Force Usig head Geary Barias, Armed Force chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita attended the meeting along with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Philippine National Police Press Corps, Manila Overseas Press Club, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and Malacañang Press Corps.
(PIA/A.Lumaque)