Press Release
February 2, 2016

PROTECT MEDIA FROM THREATS - POE

Senator Grace Poe has called on authorities to protect members of the media from any form of threat or intimidation following reports that media practitioners in Iloilo who exposed the activities of drug syndicates are receiving threats.

"The Committee commends the brave cause of dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, all members of Panay News and other media entities for helping expose the drug syndicates in Iloilo," said Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, in closing a public hearing on Tuesday, February 2.

Poe, in particular, urged the Philippine National Police to safeguard the rights of the media even as she condemned those behind the continued attacks against the "Fourth Estate."

"'Yun ang nagdulot nga ng imbestigasyon na ito. Kasi pag mayroong banta sa kalayaan na maghayag, tapos nakita pa natin konektado sa droga, alam natin malalim-lalim talaga ang problema," she added.

Led by Poe, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs conducted a public hearing on Senate Resolution Nos. 1673 and 1674 filed respectively by Senators Nancy Binay and Poe.

Poe said legislative action is also necessary in terms of rewarding informants that will lead to the arrest of members of small or big time illegal drug syndicates in a move that would save the youth from drug dependence.

Poe's committee is also requesting the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, tax records and motor vehicle registration of personalities suspected of being linked to the drug syndicate in the province.

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