Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Richard Palpal-Latoc stressed that protecting journalist safety is essential to defending democracy and the rule of law as the CHR and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) formalized a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to enhance protection for media workers.
The signing, held on August 27 at the CHR central office in Quezon City, outlined measures including a rapid response mechanism to address threats, closer coordination in investigations, and legal and psychosocial assistance for victims and their families.
“Journalists and media workers play an indispensable role in upholding transparency, demanding accountability, and giving voice to the most vulnerable. When their safety is threatened, when their rights are undermined, the rule of law is tested, and we must rise to its defense,” Palpal-Latoc said.
Palpal-Latoc and PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. signed the agreement, with CHR Commissioner Beda Epres and media sector representatives witnessing the event.
Under the MOA, joint training programs for journalists and first responders will be conducted, a data monitoring system will be created to track threat patterns, and advocacy will be pursued for legal and policy reforms to strengthen witness protection and address online harassment.
Both agencies committed to sharing information and evidence to improve case build-up and accountability.
Torres called the agreement a “roadmap” to counter the harassment, threats, and violence often faced by journalists, saying it is meant to help put an end to such attacks.
As part of strengthened coordination, CHR will investigate human rights violations and refer its findings to the proper authorities, while PTFoMS will pursue criminal accountability through law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police.
The move comes as the Philippines improved its ranking in the World Press Freedom Index to 116th out of 180 countries from 134th last year, and aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, which seeks to reinforce protection mechanisms and strengthen the justice system.
Journalists under threat may report to the PTFoMS hotline at +639650310377 or through CHR’s ALISTO! Alert Mechanism at +639178370265.
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