PNP, AFP lecture-fora in SSC
by Prima Jesusa Q. Batoon
Chair, Mass Communication Department

Police Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao answers questions during the open forum		Officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) delivered lectures to the Feature and Technical Writing class of the Mass Communication Department on December 9-10, 2004, respectively. Both lectures, which were about the government campaign against terrorism, were followed by an open forum. Addressing the twenty-seven (27) Fourth Year MC-Print Journalism students, Police Chief Superintendent
Joel Rudio Goltiao explained that terrorist acts are classified as man-made crisis.  Hence, the approach to the problem would be akin to crisis management. Currently the Director of the PNP Police Community Relations Group, the former PNP Public Information Officer also pointed out that media needs to know not only what and when to report, but also what not and when not to report certain crisis situations.  Police Chief Supt. Goltiao stressed that such restrain matters include cases where lives are at stake, for instance, the Oakwood Mutiny, and the kidnapping cases in the country.

 

Noting that the class is composed of graduating students, Lt. Col. Arnel Duco (PAF) expressed hope that media couples its power to disseminate information with care.  There are instances when media coverage may provide the very media mileage that terrorist groups want.  Given that such power on the part of media carries a multiplier effect, media may wittingly or unwittingly take the path terrorists want it to take.  In this instance, media may contribute to the stability or instability of the community. Other members of the AFP panel were Capt. Rodel Tayag (PAF), AFP-CRS Chief Command Operations Center, and Jonathan Abe, an AFP researcher. The PNP and AFP officers were one in saying that both institutions cannot counter terrorism on their own.  The cooperation of the community is also vital to the success of the campaign against terrorism. n

AFP officers (L to R) Lt. Col. Arnel Duco, Lt. Col. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Col. Gilberto Abanto, Jr. answering queries from students Ms. Prima Batoon, Chairperson, Mass Communication Department, awarding Police Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao certificate and token of appreciation

St. Scholastica's College, Manila. 
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Updated:
Wednesday, July 13, 2005