ANGELES CITY, Pampanga –The Angeles City Police Office conducted a dialogue with the Local Presidential Task Force on Media Security Council on Wednesday to address the intimidation and threats suffered by two women reporters while on a news coverage in the city on Tuesday.

The dialogue was conducted to uphold press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists in the city and to address the recent intimidations and threats by armed men on media personalities Rowena Quejada of K5 News FM Olongapo and Rappler’s Joan Manabat.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from local media organizations and was chaired by City Prosecutor Oliver Garcia together with Atty. Hue Jyro U. Go, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

The media participants in the dialogue raised their concerns on safety and upholding their fundamental rights while on a news coverage.

Meanwhile, the Central Luzon Media Citizen Council, chaired by Carmela Reyes-Estrope, has condemned to the highest form the attack made on Quejada and Manabat by armed men during a news coverage on the demolition operation on residential houses in Sitio Balubad, Barangay Anunas, Angeles City.

“It is very saddening and ironic that Quejada and Manabat were assaulted while the world observes, honors and celebrates the rights, achievements and the power of women in this March Women’s Month.,” Estrope noted.

“I’ll also call on the Philippine National Police to exert all their efforts in identifying and arresting the said group of security men behind the assault against Quejada. and Manabat,” Estrope added.

📷: Angeles City Police Office