Military, police and media collaborate for transparency and harmony

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
December 22, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  A call for collaboration between the military, police and the media came when Northern Samar is at the peak of insurgency due to successive agitation brought about by the New People Army’s impulsive attacks.

In a fellowship conducted recently at the 803rd Brigade, Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy in Catarman, Northern Samar, Colonel Oscar Lopez and Northern Samar Provincial Director Brigido Unay convened the media not only to celebrate Christmas but to form a partnership.

Brigade Commander Lopez said that each one should be reminded of its responsibility not only for him/herself but for the people and be accountable for any misdemeanor committed.

He acknowledged the role of media in upholding their advocacy programs.

Provincial Director Unay on the other hand said that media efforts should be in harmony with the PNP’s thrusts in order to achieve its purpose – be of service to the community and the province as a whole. It needs to establish a solid media group to improve the relationship, he said.

In behalf of the media, Tito Tepace and Rachel Arnaiz of DYSM Catarman affirmed that the presence of journalists in every military/police related activity had been felt ever since though there were instances that “transparency” became an issue.

Catarman Tribune publisher and columnist Eladio Perfecto, one of the prime movers of said fellowship had been very grateful for the realization of said endeavor.  Amidst the shaky peace and order situation in the province due to successive ambush incidents causing fatalities to members of the local police and military, these occurrences did not affect the pursuance of achieving partnership between the three indispensable stakeholders.