what is ARMED?

ARMED is a movement. But it is certainly not an armed movement.The association advocates individual journalists' right to self protection, self preservation. The very right to life. For the right to life is paramount. Otherwise, one cannot enjoy his or her right to liberty and property if dead.

Since its inception, global and local public perception about journalists arming themselves has been widely positive. They, too, knew that one has to fight for survival, especially when he or she is being hunted to extinction.We do not condone the use of violence against violence. Neither do we allow ourselves to be party to a culture of impunity which we despise in the highest degree.

ARMED also, is definitely not a group of mourners. We do not advocate any political idea. We do not take sides. We are composed of professional working media personalities from broadcast and print. While we sympathize with the bereaved families of political activists who similarly fell victims to ruthless killings, we lament- by professional and ethical reasons- that we could not take their cause along ours.

ARMED's primary commitment is to seek an end to the killings of journalists whose deaths have earned the country the humiliating tag as the next most murderous place for journalists on the planet. Secondly, we would like to see an end to the culture of impunity for I myself had lost a beloved not only once but twice.

While we welcome Malacanang's approval of our proposition, we never- NEVER- claimed that it already concluded our quest, as some sectors unfairly insinuate. We start by making ourselves hard targets. By fortifying our defenses not only by bearing arms but buy being armed with the knowledge of how to avoid being hurt. Along with it is our ardent call for the government to take serious steps in solving all cases involving slain mediamen.

Unlike those whose statements spew political air, ARMED'S propositions are concrete. We are one in denouncing the incapacity of the government to bring suspected media killers behind bars. We denounce law enforcers' snail-paced work on these cases too.

We ask other people to stop putting undue tags on ARMED and harping over their perceived professional advantages over us. Their criticisms only contribute to the problem. They do make noises, give motherhood statements on singular problems, but failed to provide an acceptable formula to somehow alleviate our sad plight.

It is in our ranks, not theirs, where targets are randomly selected. We are the journalists you see daily in various press centers nationwide. We are the beat reporters who represent legitimate media organizations. We are the working press, not them. And we shout to the heavens our wanton desire to have ourselves and our families protected, secured. There is no politics here. We never intended to make a political issue out of our proposal. And those who speak against our intentions do not speak the real sentiments of present journalists. We are not saber-rattlers. We do not wish to pick up a fight as some would unfairly insinuate.

NOISES ARE ALL THEY CAN MAKE.

ARMED, on the other hand, is a dynamic group of young professionals in the media. We are cash-strapped. We do not have an office yet. We do not raise funds for these. But definitely, when believers in ARMED'S ideals move, the country shakes from Batanes to Jolo.

For the government to finally end these journalist killings, we address the following challenges to HER EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO:

1. Create a multi-agency task force (PNP, NBI, DOJ, DSWD, credible media group, etc.) which will be tasked to solve all 79 incidents of media killings in one year.

2. InstitutionalizeTask Force Newsmen, Tugis or the like by making it a regular unit of the PNP, NBI and other law enforcement agencies that will closely monitor and handle cases of media harassments, threats and deaths.

3. Institutionalize a special DOJ unit that will only cater to cases pertaining to press freedom

4. Create PRESS FREEDOM COURTS which will only hear cases related to freedom of the press and of speech.

5. Legislate a considerable wage level for members of the profession. Or dialogue with publications for a package of benefits intended for newsmen

6. Conduct regular self-defense training for journalists

On our part, ARMED encourages all media groups to stick togethere as one and launch massive education campaign concentrating on the ethics of the profession and all its other complexities. Instead of using certain issues to drive a wedge between our groups, we must act in concert and encourage stronger camaraderie.

WE MUST, BY ALL MEANS, FIRST PUT AN END TO ELITIST JOURNALISM PRACTICES. Today, let us start identifying ourselves no longer as TV, radio, broadsheet or tabloid reporters but as FILIPINO JOURNALISTS.