Search on for new head of media task force

THE Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday confirmed that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin is looking for a new executive director for the Presidential Task Force for Media Security (PTFOMS). Last September 12, Bersamin informed the Department of Justice (DoJ), co-chairman of the PTFOMS along with the PCO, that the tenure of Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez as head of the agency has expired "effective immediately." PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez said he would prefer Gutierrez's replacement to come from the media industry as it would entail having a thorough knowledge of the hazards and threats journalists face every day and the steps needed to ensure the safety of media practitioners. "I am now searching for the best candidate to recommend to the President to fill the position," Chavez, a former broadcaster, said in a chance interview in the Palace. Gutierrez earlier thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for giving him the opportunity to serve in his administration "even for the brief duration of 1 year and 14 weeks." "His decision to continue with the PTFoMS is the clearest message to all that he is committed to creating a safe media environment where every member of the press can practice their profession responsibly, professionally, and without fear," Gutierrez said in a statement. He highlighted the task force's achievements under his watch, such as the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) "that would ensure the rights and security of journalists during the entirety of the election period"; the MoA with the Public Attorneys' Office (PAO) to provide free legal assistance to indigent journalists, especially those in far-flung areas; and the MoA, under finalization, with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that aims to protect the rights of the media and strengthen the media's relationship with the Philippine National Police. "We also promptly and diligently assisted in resolving all incidents of threats and harassment by the members of the press brought to our attention. Those we assisted can attest to this. The database (most wanted list) of all suspects in the killing of journalists, the first of its kind, has also been completed, ready for release to the public," Gutierrez said. Kristina Maralit