MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured protection for journalists who were fearful of threats on their lives because of their work.
The PNP said this in the wake of the killing of radioman Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, who was shot dead on Monday at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas, Philstar.com reported.
At a press briefing, PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin called on journalists to work closely with them when it comes to such cases, especially when lives are at stake.
"We're asking media personnel ... if you feel there are threats to your life, let's not wait for it to get to what happened to Percy," he said.
"It would be better for you to inform us so we can provide you security and if you have any suspects in mind, we can start investigating. If you feel that you need security, we will provide it for you."
Azurin has directed the National Capital Region Police Office to hold dialogues with media personalities in their areas to get a sense of the danger they go through in the course of their work.
Police reported that Lapid was driving along Aria Street in his vehicle around 8:30pm when he was shot by two male suspects on board a motorcycle without a plate number.
Despite the PNP chief's assurance of protection, the government has not always been receptive to reports of threats to journalists.
In March, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security claimed that Baguio City journalist Aldwin Quitasol had mistaken a motorcycle exhaust backfire as gunshots.
In June, Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr, then Officer In Charge of the PNP, insinuated that members of the media arrested in Concepcion, Tarlac for an issue were there to cause trouble.
"Imagine, maybe even the media was just meddling there. In the first place, if you went there, you're already with those people," he said then.