Journalists want to know role in anti-drug raids

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Citing safety and court trial involvement, print and broadcast journalists in Bohol have asked the police about their role in participating, or being physically present, in the conduct of raids against illegal drugs in the province.

This question surfaced during the recent press conference called by the Bohol Provincial Police Office, headed by its director, Senior Superintendent Dennis Palo Agustin.

The journalists said they are inquiring why they are called to accompany illegal-drug raids, which they said could put their lives in danger, especially when some suspects resist arrest and even fire back at the authorities.

The journalists are also obliged to witness the inventory of seized items, after the operations, prompting them to air their concerns about being summoned by the court to appear and even serve as witnesses in the trial of the accused suspects.

“Are we supposed to testify for or against the suspects?” they asked the police officials.

Police said the law mandates the media and other representatives from the Department of Justice and officials of the barangay where the operations took place, to be present during the inventory of the seized items.

However, the journalists voiced their concerns over their safety whenever they are at the scene of the raids, making them vulnerable to reprisals from the suspects, whose names are later published or aired in the media outlets.

Superintendent Ricky Delelis said BPPO would be conducting a seminar for journalists to define parameters of the media’s role during police raids and related on-the-scene operations.  (FREEMAN)