The Philippine government’s media security task force welcomed the report of UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, acknowledging its findings on ongoing threats to press freedom while pointing to what it described as “significant progress” in protecting journalists.
Undersecretary Jose A. Torres Jr., executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), said the report “underscores issues related to press freedom and the safety of journalists and civil society actors in the Philippines,” while also recognizing reforms undertaken by the government.
“We recognize that certain challenges persist, including attacks on journalists, delays in investigations, and vilification campaigns that continue to threaten free expression and the safety of media practitioners,” Torres said in a statement issued June 18.
Khan’s report, presented before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, cited persistent red-tagging, prolonged detention of activists, and weak institutional responses to media killings as serious concerns.
She called on the Marcos administration to carry out sweeping legal and policy reforms, including the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the decriminalization of libel, and the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Despite these findings, Torres said the country had recorded “a considerable improvement in the Press Freedom Index, reflecting the country’s best ranking in 21 years,” and noted that 2024 marked the first year in two decades with no reported killings of media workers.
“We are dedicated to making tangible progress and ensuring that the Philippines continues to advance as a vibrant democracy where media freedom is firmly respected and protected,” Torres said.
Khan’s report, however, questioned the effectiveness of PTFOMS, stating that while the initiative was “fine in principle,” it appeared to lack functionality in many areas and was unknown to some key stakeholders.
She also criticized the limited training provided to police and judiciary officials on handling journalist-related cases.
“The pace of investigation into the crimes has been slow,” Khan noted, referring to the killings of four journalists since President Marcos took office.
Torres responded by reaffirming the task force’s commitment to “concrete reforms that align with international standards,” saying it is working to enhance its institutional capacity and expand collaboration with law enforcement, the judiciary, and civil society.
“Our primary objective is to foster a safer environment that enables journalists to fulfill their vital roles without fear,” he said, adding that PTFOMS values “the constructive engagement of the international community.”
Khan, who visited the Philippines in early 2024, also flagged ongoing red-tagging practices, saying these “appear to be a major strategy” of security forces and government-linked bodies like NTF-ELCAC.
She cited the continuing detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and two fellow activists as emblematic of “a wider pattern” of harassment and judicial delays.
Torres, formerly Director General of the Philippine Information Agency before heading the media safety task force, said the government would “carefully consider” Khan’s recommendations as it upholds its commitment to “human rights, press freedom, and the rule of law”.
Editor’s note: Torres is a founding member and former editor-at-large of LiCAS News.
