Presidential Task Force on Media Security Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. is welcomed by Brig. Gen. Aaron Mandia (right), deputy director for administration at the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao during a courtesy visit to the Police Regional Office 10 headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City. Photo courtesy of PRO-10.
Nearly 40 journalists joined a three-day safety training in Cagayan de Oro City as media groups and government agencies prepared reporters for the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections and the Nov. 2 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security backed the program organized by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club through its Journalism Institute, with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation and other partner agencies.
PTFoMS Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said journalist safety was essential to protecting press freedom and ensuring that media workers could cover elections without undue risk.
This marked the second straight year that the task force partnered with the press club and Hanns Seidel Foundation for media security training in the city.
The 2026 program also received support from the Bangsamoro government, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and Police Regional Office 10.
The training, scheduled from Aug. 19 to 21, focused on practical safety measures and security protocols for journalists working in potentially tense election environments.
During a visit to the PRO-10 headquarters, Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said media protection remained part of police security planning and operational protocols.
Torres also cited earlier cooperation with Abrahano during his stint in the Caraga police region, where authorities resolved a case involving the killing of a media worker.