Duterte forms task force on media violence, killings

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has formed a task force that will ensure a safe environment for members of the media amid growing concerns over the harassment of journalists who have reported critically of the administration.

The creation of the presidential task force on violations to the media’s right to life, liberty and security is the first administrative order of Duterte, who has had a love-hate relationship with journalists. The president signed the order last October 11.

“The reason why the president wanted this Administrative Order (AO) no. 1 is because he cares for you, for us. And he believes in freedom of the press,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters in Malacañang Thursday.

In the AO, Duterte cited a 2014 Human Rights Watch report which stated that the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist because of killings and enforced disappearances. According to the report, the killing and disappearance of journalists “rarely result in a successful and punishment of the perpetrator.”

“The continuing attack on media workers is not only erosive of press freedom and free expression but also impedes the flow of information in community,” the president said.

“The murders and violent incidents against journalists create an impression of a culture of impunity, wherein security establishments of the state and non-state forces have been accused of silencing through violence and intimidation, legitimate dissent and opposition raised by members of the press,” he added.

The presidential task force on violence against media workers will be led by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II while Andanar will serve as its co-chairperson. The task force will consist of the secretaries of the interior and local government, and national defense, the solicitor-general, the executive director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee, the chiefs of the military and the police and the director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, the Ombudsman, and the heads of media organizations National Press Club, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, Publishers Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Press Institute will be invited as observers and resource persons.

Andanar said the task force would meet after Duterte’s state visit to China.

The task force has been directed to conduct an inventory of all cases against media workers within its first 30 days. The cases will be categorized as unsolved, under investigation, under preliminary investigation, under trial and under appeal. After conducting the inventory, the task force will assign special investigation teams that will handle unsolved cases.

“Greater priority shall be given to high profile cases perpetrated during more recent years to take advantage of leads that have yet to stale,” Duterte said.

The task force will also form a special oversight team that will actively monitor developments on the cases included in the inventory of cases and regularly submit recommendations.

Members of the media may also report threats to the task force, which will then monitor and, if necessary, provide assistance to the journalists concerned.

Online threats

Asked if the task force would cover online threats to journalists, Andanar replied: “I have not seen it here but… if you are threatened anywhere, be that online or on the ground, it’s still a threat. And it still violates your security and your right to have a good life, liberty and security as mentioned in this administrative order.”

“You can report threats. It will be discussed by different agencies,” he added.

Andanar said mechanisms to protect journalists from online harassment may be included in the implementing rules of the AO.

Some journalists who have written critical pieces about Duterte have been subjected to online harassment and threats, prompting media groups to ask the government to protect freedom of expression.

Last month, freelance journalist Gretchen Malalad and Al Jazeera correspondent Jamela Alindogan-Caudron received threats of rape and physical harm from social media users who claim to be supporters of Duterte.

Manuel Mogato and Karen Lema of international news agency Reuters were also branded by bashers as “enemies of democracy” after they reported about Duterte’s remark on German leader Adolf Hitler, who ordered the killing of millions of Jews during World War II.

Duterte has urged his supporters to stop threatening journalists to allow them to report about the true state of the country.

The task force will also designate a team that will investigate new cases of media killings and violence. It will also receive, process and act on the complaints of abuse and other acts of violence filed by media workers in coordination with the justice department.

The presidential task force will likewise help in facilitating the protection of witnesses upon the request of the justice department. Duterte has ordered the task force to submit an accomplishment report after six months.  

The budget department will determine the source for the initial requirements of the task force. Andanar said the funding for the task force is not yet included in next year’s budget.

The AO supersedes Administrative Order no. 35, which created an interagency committee on extralegal killings in 2012.