PTFOMS-PNP Media Security Vanguard Launch Set for April 8

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will launch the PTFOMS-PNP Media Security Vanguard on April 8, 2025, at the PIA Auditorium on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.

This initiative builds upon the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) mandate on January 10, 2022, which directed the PNP to appoint a dedicated focal person for media security in each province and city nationwide. These individuals, known as “Media Security Vanguards,” serve as frontline responders for journalists, receiving information and addressing threats against media personnel. They collaborate closely with the PTFOMS Secretariat (PTFOMSS) to swiftly resolve cases of violence against journalists. PNP Public Information Officers (PNP-PIOs) are designated to fulfill these roles, proactively safeguarding journalists, particularly during election periods when threats tend to escalate.

“The establishment of the Media Security Vanguard is crucial, especially as we head into the mid-term elections,” said Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., PTFOMS executive director. “The safety of our journalists is vital for upholding press freedom and ensuring the public receives accurate information.

”The initiative also highlights the collaboration between the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in creating a secure environment for journalists, free from intimidation.”

“The PNP’s commitment to protecting media personnel reinforces the government’s dedication to a free and secure press,” said Torres.

The launch will bring together key stakeholders from the media, law enforcement, and advocacy groups, fostering discussions about media security in the Philippines and the importance of journalists in promoting transparency during the electoral process. #