PNP publishes security handbook for journalists

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has announced the publication of a security handbook for journalists, which contains tips on how media practitioners can detect and thwart threats against their lives.

The 48-page security handbook, titled “Handbook on Personal Security Measures for Media Practitioners,” contains topics on threat detection and assessment; basic guidance on personal security; counter-surveillance and evasive techniques; home, workplace and travel security; and how to handle threats.

PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo said they have initially printed 2,000 copies, which would be distributed in regional offices and local media organizations nationwide.

“The intention is to provide media practitioners with the basic knowledge and practical skills in securing themselves and their family, determining possible threats and improving communications among all concerned including local PNP units,” Bacalzo said.

Records from the PNP revealed that since 2001, there were 39 work-related attacks against journalists, but 85 percent of these cases have been solved.

One of the most gruesome was the Maguindanao massacre last Aug. 23, 2009 when 30 out of 57 journalists were allegedly killed by the Ampatuans, an influential family in the province.

Aside from the publication of the security handbook, the PNP will also be giving seminars to journalists, where one of the topics will be how to handle firearms.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. clarified that the decision to arm one’s self would be purely a personal option on the part of journalists.

“We are just providing them with the knowledge and basic skills in case they feel the need to bear arms as an added security protection,” he said. –Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net