Killing of journalists now a top security concern

The continued killing of media members is among the government’s “top security concerns,” Press Sec.Ignacio Bunye said.

He said a Press Freedom Fund worth P5M has been put up, of which P3M is from the Office of the President and P2M from Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Bunye said of the total, P2M will be used to reward informers who would help sove a case on a journalist’s murder and another P1M will be used for the witness protection
program. “The rest of the fund will be used for the so-called “Quick Reaction Team” that will respond during incidents involving members of the media.

In the recent forum of the Nat’l. Coalition for Peace, it has been noted that one contributory factor to violence is the indiscriminate carrying of guns outside of the residence. In view of this, Bunye said laws on possession of firearms will be enforced strictly.