Media welfare coalition calls for safety protocol review, just compensation

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
January 13, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Movement for Media Safety PH/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Following the death of Saksi Ngayon’s photojournalist Armelito “Itoh” Son during his coverage of Traslacion 2026 in Manila, media welfare advocates are now advancing the call for a review of safety protocols for media workers and the continued demand for their rightful work compensation.

The Movement for Media Safety Philippines (MMSP) acknowledged in a statement Monday that while Son’s untimely death is a reminder to the media community to prioritize their health over their duties, their economic conditions are integral to why others are forced to report on duty even if they are “not physically, mentally, or emotionally ready.”

Citing consultation reports, the coalition noted media workers for tabloid newspapers, for instance, are likely to be paid on a per-piece basis with rates as low as PHP 50 to PHP 100, while others are either not compensated at all or their salaries are delayed.

“We acknowledge that Saksi Ngayon has, as it should, promised financial assistance to Son’s family,” MMSP’s statement read. “[But we also] call on media managers and owners in general to help keep their staff, stringers, and contributors safe and healthy.”

Composed of several esteemed Filipino media organizations, namely, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the coalition advocates for the safety and safeguard of media workers across the country.