BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 guaranteed the safety and freedom of journalists in Western Visayas amid threats to the practice of their profession.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, police regional director, gave the assurance following the strafing incident at the residence of broadcaster Reynaldo “Rey” Siason in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday night.
“The PRO-6 fully support the freedom of the press as enshrined in the Constitution and we recognize the value of press freedom in ensuring democracy…We assure all media practitioners of their safety and their freedom to exercise their profession,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Bulalacao added that he already ordered the Talisay City Police Station to immediately conduct a thorough investigation.
“We are currently conducting a thorough investigation. We assure Mr. Siason that we will get to the bottom of this incident so that the perpetrators will be arrested,” he said.
Bulalacao noted that although “it is considered an isolated case,” the police will “ensure that those responsible will have to face the consequences of their criminal act.”
“We ask possible witnesses to provide us leads and information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators,” he said.
On Thursday, the Negros Press Club and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Bacolod condemned the attack at Siason’s house.
Siason was not home when the shooting took place around 10:45 p.m. and only learned about the incident when his daughter called him on the phone.
Police investigators recovered a bullet shell of .45 caliber pistol and seven fragments.
Siason, an anchorman of 107.7 FM Muews Radio Negros, said he believes the attack is related to his work as radio broadcaster.
Moreover, Bulalacao said journalists who face death threats can request for police protection.
“We are willing to work closely with media groups so we can come up with an acceptable framework or strategy that can effectively stop harassments among media practitioners,” he added. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
