Cebu media, PNP ink agreement on rules of coverage for hostage crisis

Amor Saludar

CEBU CITY September 26 (PIA) -- Members of the police and military beat reporters in  Cebu and top officials of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 along with its police directors in the various the cities and provinces of Central Visayas recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the protocols governing the coverage of crisis situations such as hostage taking.

Outgoing PRO-7 Chief Gen. Ager P. Ontog and Cebu Federation of Beat Journalist (CFBJ) president Elias Baquero lead the signing of the MOU witnessed by top police officials and members and officers of the PNP Defense Press Corps.

Ontog said that the contents of the MOU is very essential because it will provide the guide for both members of the PNP and media on their specific roles during crisis incidents.

“The respect and understanding between the police and members of media should be the only thing to prevail in times of crisis,” Ontog said.

Under the MOU, the PNP will provide and secure a proper place for members of covering media so they will not be put in danger while delivering the news to the public and more importantly, for them not to hamper police operation.

Although the MOU clearly defined that no penalties will be sanctioned against any member of the media who will violate the agreement but stressed more on the importance of security and safety of everybody.

The MOU was done in order to avoid the same mistake as what happened during the controversial hostage crisis in Metro Manila last year that killed nine Hongkong tourists and the hostage taker as well. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)