MANILA - Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), met with representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) led by Mohamed Djelid, Director and Representative of UNESCO Office in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss possible cooperation on capacity building projects on human rights during a courtesy visit in Malacanang, Manila on March 25. Egco presented the accomplishments of PTFoMS since its inception in 2016 and its pivotal role in ensuring media freedom in the Philippines by protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers pursuant to President Rodrigo Duterte's Administrative Order No. 1. Also present during the meeting were Undersecretary Severo Catura, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee, who spoke about the openness of the government and its willingness to engage with UNESCO; Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, spokesperson an
Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco (File photo) MANILA - The Philippines has taken "positive steps" in protecting journalists, according to the 2021-2022 "World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Global Report" released recently by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In a statement Thursday, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), welcomed the comprehensive and impartial report as proof of the real commitment of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to safeguard press freedom in the country through the PTFoMS. Egco said the UNESCO Global Report highlighted the Philippines as among the very few countries in the world that have undertaken "good practices and positive measures" in the safety of journalists. He said the UNESCO report took note of the concrete m
Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) executive director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco (File photo) MANILA - Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) executive director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco on Friday appealed to both the Senate and the House of Representatives to immediately conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the "criminal enterprise" of a Pangasinan-based newsman, involving the filing of bogus rape charges. Ego said the scheme has already victimized several government officials in what could be best described as a "rape case for hire". In a statement, Egco, as head of the country's lead agency mandated to protect journalists from threats and violence, said he officially wrote Senate President Vicente Sotto III and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Rowena Nina Taduran of ACT-CIS, to investigate the "modus operandi" of Jaime Aquino. Aquino's modus targeted public officials through the filing of bogus criminal complaint
CMFR/PHILIPPINES – On March 1, Aldwin Quitasol, Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club President and Daily Tribune Correspondent, survived an at
CMFR/PHILIPPINES – On March 1, Aldwin Quitasol, Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club President and Daily Tribune Correspondent, survived an at