Aquino seeks protection for journalist Vitug

Leading presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino called on the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to provide protection for Maritess Danguilan Vitug, the Newsbreak editor-in chief who has been receiving death threats.

"She has been a crusading journalist. Let us not let any harm befall her lest it weakens the capacity of the Fourth Estate to keep a check and remind the people of what the people in government are doing," Aquino said Tuesday in a sortie in Pangasinan.

Vitug has received threatening text messages since the launch of her book, Shadow of Doubt, which looks into the inner workings of the Supreme court. She also reported that someone has been stalking her outside the Newsbreak office in Quezon City.

Aquino said that people should not be exposed to threats or harassments for shedding light on the truth, and that journalists should be protected so they could apply vital checks and balances on the government.

Aquino and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas have vowed to open Malacañang to news reporters should they be elected as president and vice president in the May polls.