PNP to designate spokesperson down to police stations to answer queries of the media on any crime incident, reporters cannot ask questions to the inve

Miami
November 6, 2008
Story: PNP to designate spokesperson down to police stations to answer queries of the media on any crime incident, reporters cannot ask questions to the investigator

Reporters will now have difficulty in making access of information at any police station to know what crimes happened during the day and why or how it happened. The reporters are advised to talk to who would be designated spokesperson for the station.

Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, chief of the PNP, released a memorandum dated October 20, that any information in the police blotter should not be made available to the public and media. Their reason is to protect the integrity of the document, which is the blotter, “and the identity of any victim and suspect.”

It is also stated on the memorandum that looking at the blotter should have “Proper authorization from the Head of Office or unless the disclosure is in compliance with a lawful order of the court or any pertinent authority.”

Spokesperson of the PNP, Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said, “You should not talk to the investigator anymore to ask your questions, but to the designated spokesperson of their station.”

If the “spokesperson” is not available, Bartolome said the reporters should ask the chief of police or whoever is the head of office on where should they gather information.

Bartolome, however, could not react on the position of mediamen that there is information that an investigator could only answer.

Bartolome also said that the intention of the memo is to decentralize the functions of the Public Information Office down to police stations in different parts of the country so that al station down to the district or municipality level will have their own system on informing the people of the crimes that happened.

Bartolome added not all listed in the blotter can be allowed to be seen by the media people especially if the case involves women and children.

“There should be a proper coordination between the media and the police officer that would be designated as spokesperson on which crime should be reported,” Bartolome added.

It is also stated that within two hours of the incident, “The PIO/Spokesperson, upon clearance from the Head of Office, shall hold a Press Conference or media briefing regarding a major accomplishment or significant incident within a period of 2 hours from the time of the activity or incident.”

Meanwhile, the National Press Club (NPC) opposes the memorandum released by Verzosa. On their statement, is said, “Banning media men from checking the blotter, smacks of media repression. It has never been done before not even during the repressive Martial Law years.”

“It could be send wrong signals that the state especially the police is slowly curtailing press freedom in the country,” also stated at the statement.

The NPC is urging the Verzosa to lift the ban immediately.