Manila: The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Wednesday backed the Cagayan de Oro Press Club's (COPC) safety training program ahead of the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls this year.

According to Philippines News Agency, PTFoMS Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. emphasized the importance of safety and security for journalists covering the elections, as mandated by the President. "Press freedom cannot be realized if our media practitioners are not safe in covering the field," Torres stated. This marks the second year of collaboration between PTFoMS, COPC, and the non-government organization Hanns Seidel Foundation to conduct media safety training in the region.

This year's training receives support from BARMM, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the Philippines, the Army's 4th Infantry Division, which is hosting the training from Aug. 19 to 21, and the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10). Close to 40 participants from various news organizations attended the training.

During a courtesy visit at the PRO-10 headquarters in Cagayan de Oro, Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano reaffirmed that media security remains a priority in their protocols. Torres also noted that during Abrahano's tenure as director in the PRO-Caraga Region, a case of media killing was successfully resolved.