Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Regional Director PBGen. Romano Cardiño pledged open media access under his leadership during a dialogue with local journalists, including members and affiliates of Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders, on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The meeting brought together police leadership and media practitioners to discuss concerns about access, communication, and how both sectors can better serve communities across Eastern Visayas.
Cardiño recognized the media as a stakeholder and emphasized the importance of maintaining an open relationship with journalists.
SAFE Eastern Visayas–Call 911
During the discussion, Cardiño highlighted the SAFE Eastern Visayas–Call 911 initiative, reporting that it has received positive responses from communities. He said PRO8 has been visiting provinces across the region to launch the program.
The initiative places emergency reporting and public awareness at the center of the discussion on community safety. Its emphasis on calling 911 also brings attention to the importance of clear information about accessing assistance during emergencies.
For communities, practical information—such as how to describe an incident, identify its location, and explain the assistance needed—can help make emergency reporting more useful to responders.
Media coverage can support public understanding by explaining the initiative, communicating verified safety information, and bringing residents’ questions and experiences to the attention of authorities. Cardiño’s assessment of positive community responses, however, was presented as his report during the meeting.
Appeal for verification
Alongside his commitment to media access, Cardiño urged journalists to validate and verify negative feedback before publishing or broadcasting it.
“I just want to ask the media that if there is negative feedback you received, it should first be validated and verified before it is published or broadcast,” he said.
His remarks touched on a central responsibility in journalism: checking information, establishing context, and giving those concerned a fair opportunity to respond.
Open access to police officials and timely responses to media inquiries can help journalists fulfill that responsibility, particularly when reporting on incidents, complaints, and matters affecting public safety.
Public service and accountability
The dialogue provided a venue for discussing how police and journalists can improve communication while carrying out their respective responsibilities.
For police, accessible and accurate information can help explain services and respond to community concerns. For journalists, access supports independent verification, fair reporting, and scrutiny of public institutions.
As PRO8 continues introducing SAFE Eastern Visayas–Call 911 across the region, sustained public information and opportunities for community feedback will remain relevant to understanding how the initiative works in practice.