MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Press Club presented a plaque of distinction to Communication Secretary Martin Andanar, recognizing his and the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) contributions and assistance to the media industry.
The awarding took place during the NCRPO Press Club’s third anniversary in Quezon City on Friday.
The plaque of distinction cited the PCOO chief’s assistance to the media industry, particularly to the NCRPO Press Club, other press corps, and media organizations, as well as his advocacies towards freedom of expression.
The celebration was supposed to be held two weeks prior to the actual awarding on November 23.
Coinciding with the 9th anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, Andanar recalled the brutal killing of 58 people, 33 of whom were journalists.
“That singular incident undermined our press freedom,” he said, as he enjoined the audience to offer prayers for the victims.
Andanar also extended his appreciation to the work done by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) headed by Undersecretary Joel Egco.
“After that incident in 2009, the Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries, second actually, for journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization based in New York,” he said.
“Since President Rodrigo Duterte signed AO (Administrative Order No.) 1 on the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, it has been two years from (rank) 2, 3, 4, and 5. The Philippines’ standing has improved and has ensured that our environment is safer for journalists,” he said in Filipino.
Andanar congratulated the NCRPO Press Club for the successful event.
“It is good to give awards because it inspires the person. They say, if you let a person shine, then you will allow these officers to shed the light to his neighbor,” he said.
