Manila: Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz on Tuesday highlighted that the Philippines recorded zero media killings in 2024, the first time in 20 years. 'Isa pong malaking accomplishment 'yan (It's a big accomplishment),' he said in a press briefing as he led the relaunch of the Media Vanguards together with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is to ensure the safety and security of media practitioners, especially amid the ongoing midterm elections. Ruiz said the relaunching of the Media Vanguards would maintain this 'good record.' 'Let us all shield our journalists so they can continue to work as messengers of the news and vessels of public opinion,' he added.

PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joe Torres stated that the PTFoMS-PNP Media Vanguards will serve as 'a dedicated force, ready to respond to threats and protect' journalists. In the coming months, workshops and seminars aimed at equipping journalists with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe while performing their duties will also be conducted, he added.

'With the launch of the Media Vanguards initiative, we are taking significant strides toward ensuring the safety of our journalists, who play a crucial role in defending and promoting press freedom in the country,' Torres said in a press briefing.

The Media Security Vanguards was first launched in January 2022, assigning PNP public information officers as focal persons for media security across all provinces and cities nationwide.