NBI Formally Joins Presidential Task Force to Bolster Media Security
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has officially become a member of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) through a formal memorandum of agreement signed at the NBI Headquarters on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This strategic partnership aims to reinforce the government's commitment to combating violence and threats targeting members of the media across the Philippines.
Strengthening Joint Efforts to Protect Journalists
PTFoMS Executive Director Jose Torres and NBI Director Angelito Magno signed the agreement during the year's first Inter-Agency Meeting, which brought together various stakeholders to discuss comprehensive strategies for safeguarding media practitioners. The memorandum establishes a robust framework designed to enhance media protection through several key initiatives.
The agreement prioritizes information exchange to facilitate the sharing of critical data relevant to media-related cases. It also seeks to strengthen joint investigation efforts simultaneously, ensuring that violations against journalists are handled with speed, impartiality, and comprehensive oversight.
NBI's Dedicated Response Structure
Director Magno has designated the bureau's Investigation Service, Homicide Division, and Public Relations and Information Division to lead these enhanced protection efforts. Additionally, a dedicated focal person has been appointed to oversee case monitoring and liaison efforts with other PTFoMS member agencies, creating a streamlined coordination mechanism.
"With the bureau's inclusion in the PTFoMS, the NBI remains proactive, firm, and committed in its mandate to protect press freedom and uphold justice for members of the media," Magno stated during the signing ceremony.
Legal Framework and Investigative Capabilities
Under Republic Act 10867, known as the NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act, the NBI maintains specific jurisdiction over the investigation of media-related killings. This legal authority ensures that such crimes are met with the full force of the law through systematic investigative processes.
The inclusion of the NBI – the country's premier investigative body – is viewed as a critical step in addressing the culture of impunity surrounding attacks on journalists. "By integrating the bureau's forensic and investigative capabilities with the PTFoMS' oversight, the government aims to fast-track the resolution of high-profile cases involving media workers," Magno added, emphasizing the technical advantages this partnership brings to media security efforts.
This collaboration represents a significant advancement in institutional protection mechanisms for journalists, combining the NBI's investigative expertise with the PTFoMS' coordination functions to create a more responsive security framework for media professionals nationwide.
