ICPO assures media security  after attack on radio blocktimer

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Oct 7, 2022 attack on a radio blocktimer is no indication that Iloilo City is not safe for media practitioners.

Colonel Leo Batiles, Iloilo City police chief, reiterated this point following a dialogue with media workers, particularly those covering the police beat, on Oct 10, 2022.

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) leadership called for a dialogue “to determine all their security and safety concerns experienced while exercising their duty.”

While there are still no suspects in the assault on radio blocktimer Florencio Hervias, the police said it is on top of the situation.

The dialogue was called in a bid to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Crimes still do happen in Iloilo City, but this is far from being called alarming.

“We should impose upon ourselves to be self-security conscious,” Batiles said.

Even to media personalities who have no threats to their lives, the city’s top cop said to always remain vigilant and cautious of their surroundings.

“We should be aware of our surroundings. Don’t place yourselves in a way that you’re vulnerable,” he said.

At the first sign of danger, Batiles said journalists should try to evade threats.

“Again, don’t be complacent,” he said.

Meanwhile, Major Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson, advocated that any media personality should report if they feel they have a threat to their lives.

“Unvalidated it maybe or just a product of your instinct or gut feel, please report it to us,” she said.

The PNP will then validate and analyze the threat level. From there, appropriate security will be provided.

Sangrines said that they might conduct another round of dialogue.

This time, it will involve radio blocktimers, commentators, and social media practitioners, whose work is akin to that of mainstream media.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility defines blocktiming as a unique Philippine broadcast media practice of buying “blocks” of airtime to produce programs independent of networks and stations.

The blocktimer sells the commercial time to sponsors and/or advertisers. Blocktime programs especially proliferate during elections, as politicians scramble for access to the voting public by, among other means, sponsoring programs through which they can have the exclusive opportunity to enhance their image and undermine that of their rivals.