Lawmakers back arming media

AFTER the death of reporter and radio commentator Jose Dagio, lawmakers expressed support to allow legitimate members of media to carry firearms for self protection.

Dagio's assassination was the first extra-judicial killing under the administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

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“Mediamen should be allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves, otherwise criminal elements will continue their dastardly act against the members of the fourth estate," said Representative Danilo Ramon Fernandez (First District, Laguna).

He added tha tif police authorities are allowing businessmen and other citizens to carry firearms, "mediamen who are also facing serious situation should be accorded the same treatment".

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 140 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Philippines since 1986. Of the number, 107 have been killed during the Arroyo administration.

Buhay party-list lawmaker Irwin Tieng meanwhile recommended that mediamen undergo training on gun handling by police authorities.

Congressman Lorenzo Tañada III (Fourth District, Quezon) meantime believes arming journalists is not the answer to the problem but capturing the perpetrators.

“Justice Secretary Leila De Lima should launch a strong campaign to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and I think once we start prosecuting them, attacks on mediamen will stop,” added Tañada.

Tañada, also the spokesperson for the Liberal Party, said the rise in media killings during the Arroyo administration is due to the culture of impunity.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they would help mediamen acquire the necessary permits based on existing policies in carrying firearms.

During the Arroyo administration, there were 103 media practitioners killed, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.(Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)