PNP cracks down on fake journalists

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started implementing stricter measures to prevent fake members of media or “hao shiao” journalists from entering the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame and conducting unlawful solicitation activities.

PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. also ordered the arrest of individuals who use his business cards for any illegal activity, including solicitation, extortion and influence peddling.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said they have sought the cooperation of the PNP Press Corps, an organization of working journalists covering the police force’s national headquarters, to put a stop to the activities of these individuals.

“These people are obviously giving a bad name to the legitimate members of the working media,” Bartolome said.

Bartolome advised the public not to entertain the fake journalists and report their solicitation activities to the PNP Public Information Office through telephone numbers 725-5115 or 725-3179, or through TXT PNP 2920.

He clarified that the PNP has not authorized any publication, media organization or any individual to solicit funds on behalf of the PNP.

The PNP has been receiving complaints that some private organizations solicit funds purportedly for the benefit of families of police personnel or for other charitable purposes.

Bartolome also said that some “police” publications, whose staff members identify themselves as police officers, solicit advertisements for the magazine or coerce people to buy tickets for a purported fund-raising dinner.

None of these publications are sanctioned by the PNP since the police force publishes its own official newsletter and magazine, Bartolome clarified.