Moreno dismayed over DILG’s move to disallow media to cover intel report

By Nitz Arancon
Correspondent .

MAYOR Oscar Moreno was dismayed when reporters were ushered out of the venue of the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting last week with neither a motion nor approval from the majority member of the body.

Moreno, who sits as the RPOC chairman, said the media were missing just as the security sector of the region were about to give their report. Those who were about to report were representatives from the military, police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Regional State Prosecutor, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

“Natingala lagi ko kay pageport sa Nica wala na man ang media. I learned later nga gihangyo diay sila (reporters) sa DILG,” Moreno said.

Moreno said he was surprise why DILG requested the media to vacate the venue during the report of Nica without giving a motion from the members of the body for an executive session.

“Kanang ingon ana ang protocol diha. Kung mag-exclude ka sa public, there has to be a motion calling for the holding of the executive session and i-explain nimo ngano kay under the principle of transparency things that government does must be accessible sa katawhan,” Moreno explained.

However, Moreno noticed the absence of the reporters during Nica’s presentation, he did opted not to question the breach in protocol.

“Pero if I had been consulted I would have ask nga  na-a gyoy mag-motion  to call the executive session,” he said.

Moreno also pointed out that he saw nothing confidential in Nica’s report where the media needed to be escorted out of the venue.

“Wala man to’y problema nga mahibaw-an sa katawhan kay, in fact, sa ako ganing tan-aw importante kadto nga mahibaw-an sa katawhan kay ang gieport sa Nica kadto mang mga agreement sa Philippine Government that has entered into with sa CPP-NPA-NDF,” the mayor pointed out