Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
“Effective immediately, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima has directed all police investigators not to release information regarding the cases they are handling to the media anymore,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.
Those who will be caught violating the new directive will face administrative charges.
PNP Public Information Office Chief Sr. Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac explained that “the PNP has already recorded many incidents where police investigators give their personal opinions about the case during interviews.”
Sindac also added that “some even divulge vital information that may compromise ongoing manhunt operations against suspects.” Most unfortunate of all, there are also times when “cops who do not actually have first-hand information about the case are the ones speaking to news reporters.”
With Purisima’s order, each police precinct should now have a media relations officer who will be responsible in releasing information to the media. In the absence of a media relations officer, only the chief of the police precinct will be allowed to speak about the cases being handled by investigators.
Photo from Manila Police District 3 Facebook page
