Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Palace slams RP's description as dangerous place for journalists (8:30 p.m.)
MANILA -- MALACAŅANG Wednesday dismissed reports that the Philippines is the second most dangerous place for journalists next to Iraq.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye dubbed the report of the International Federation of Journalists as misleading.
Bunye said majority of cases involving slain journalists have been solved by the police, particularly a Special Task Force created by the President to handle the cases of slain journalists.
"We are determined to protect media practitioners in the course of their professional undertakings. We consider any form of harassment of media personalities as tantamount to curtailing press freedom in the country and it is part of government's responsibility to ensure their safety, being partners in democracy and nation-building," he added.
President Arroyo, on the 60th anniversary of the Manila Overseas Press Club held in Malacaņang, reaffirmed her administration's commitment to protect the media adding that police have already solved 10 of the 12 killings in 2004.
"I stand deeply committed in protecting the health, life and safety of journalists and I will not rest until those guys who have been caught and the other assassins are brought to justice," she said in her speech. (JMR) |
