PORMAL nang pinirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Administrative Order No. 1 para sa pagtatatag ng Presidential Task Force against Media Killings.
“The safety of journalists and the prosecution and punishment of those who kill members of the media are essential to preserve the fundamental right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” sabi ng probisyon ng AO1.
Ito’y sa kabila naman ng kontrobersiyal na pahayag ni Duterte kung saan isinisi niya ang pagpatay sa mga miyembro ng media dahil na rin sa umano’y pagkakasangkot sa korupsyon.
“Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch,” naunang sinabi ni Duterte.
Nakasaad pa sa AO1 na hindi polisiya ng administrasyon ang mga pagpatay sa mga miyembro media.
“The President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution and by law signs the creation of Presidential Task Force against Media Killings or the Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers, which shall have the mandate of ensuring a safe environment for media workers,” ayon pa sa EO.
Itinalaga ni Duterte si Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre bilang chairperson ng task force, samantalang co-chairperson naman si Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
“The Presidential Task Force shall invited the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights or CHR and the Ombudsman as observers and resource persons.,” ayon pa sa AO1.