PNP limits media access to reports

CEBU, Philippines — The police will no longer release copies of spot reports to members of the press.

“No spot report will be released to the media,” reads a text memorandum policemen cascaded to journalists yesterday. The text message came from the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

A spot report contains the first set of information about a police operation, for example, a drug raid.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, director of the Police Regional Office -7, said the new directive does not necessarily mean reporters can no longer get information from the police. It only means reporters are no longer allowed to get hold of documents like spot reports or case folders.

“Media could continue their rapport sa PNP by asking the PNP officers some information of facts of the incidents but the PNP official reports like spot reports, case folders etc. should be treated with utmost care because it might affect (or) jeopardize the investigation,” Espino said.

He said reporters can still take a look at the police blotter or get information from the information officer or the official press release.

“Media doing police beat normally can look sa police blotter or PIO will give the press release in relation to the spot report. Take note, while allowed reading the spot report, it should not be freely given,” Espino said.

At the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), spokesperson Police Insp. Llewelyn Reyes said, “We just follow the order from Crame but we the CCPO, we will feed you information about our accomplishments but not the spot report. Halimbawa, may accomplishment kami, we will feed you, kung sino nahuli namin yung operations na ginawa.”

At the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), Police Supt. Virgilio Bayon-on, chief of the Police Community Relations Office, said they, too, will follow the directive from the national headquarters but they acknowledge the media’s contribution to the police service.

“Kahibaw na ta nga ang media is partner nato sa pagpanarbaho…kami diri sa provincial headquarters, nagsunod lang mi sa order sa taas… ang spot report dili pareha sa una nga makita ninyo diri… muhatag gihapon, dili man nga gidaw nato… muhatag ta og update… basta pangitaon nga info, muhatag ta,” Bayon-on said.

Appeal

Arnold Bustamante, a journalist covering the different law enforcement agencies for 17 years and president of the Cebu-based media beat Defense Philippine National Police Press Corps (DEPP), asked the PNP to reconsider its decision.

“Although we respect the directive of the PNP higher headquarters for not giving spot report of any significant incident to the media, we DEPP members appeal to PNP officials to reconsider its decision. Authorities have nothing to worry in releasing any information through spot reports or press releases as we exercise due diligence in reporting with standards of professionalism. We are open to any communication with PNP officials to resolve the matter as soon as possible purposely not to curtail what the public deserves to know,” Bustamante said.

Elias Baquero, president of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists, echoed Bustamante’s sentiments.

“It is the duty of the (media) reporters, as members of the fourth estate, to get reports (like spot reports) from the office like the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Baquero said.

He said the move will only fuel public speculations of a possibility of a cover-up.

“If the PNP officer/s will not give the copy of the spot reports despite he is the one in charge then he cannot prevent the public to speculate that he/they have something to hide within their police station,” Baquero said.

Transparency

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Eastern Visayas governor, lawyer Gonzalo Malig-on, Jr., said that unless the police can justify the decision, it must observe the principle of transparency.

Malig-on said that because transparency is the rule, restriction is the exception and the claim for exception should be justified.

Gonzalo said the right of the people to information is guaranteed under Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

At the Capitol, Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also said spot reports, being public documents, should be accessible to anyone.

“Para nako, it should be opened to the media especially. You (media) are the ones who report the crimes,” Davide said.

The governor said that he believes that if the memo is implemented, the public would not know the circumstances surrounding the commission of crimes. (FREEMAN)