ILOILO City – Newly installed Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Brigadier General Jack Wanky recognizes the vital role that the media plays in the law enforcement efforts of the police.
Wanky, in an interview with RMN Iloilo on Sunday morning, said the media helps raise awareness among the general public and in the implementation and maintenance of community policing.
“Ako naman anytime kung kaya ko sabton,” he clarified, “I know nga kaya sang akon nga PIO (Public Information Officer)… Amo na nga ginahambal ko na lang sa ila nga, ‘Please ask my PIO.’”
This comes after a statement indicating that the media could not directly interview Wanky.
Earlier on Wednesday, Feb. 21, or two days after Wanky assumed post, PRO-6 spokesperson Major Mary Grace Borio said all media interviews, either live or phone patch, with Wanky will be mediated by her.
“All media interviews with ARD (acting regional director) will pass through me na po. Please submit your questions ahead, and I will schedule your interview with him,” Borio said in a statement to the media members.
It was initially indicated that members of the media would have to pass the questions to the PIO, which would then inform the PRO-6 director.
Borio added that she can also accommodate questions on behalf of Wanky, and she will be releasing press releases that are usually delivered with a one-day delay.
“In other instances, I can still answer on his behalf after I sought his clearance. Please understand that it is my job to facilitate your concerns with ARD. Thank you gid,” she said, citing that this is per PNP’s media policy.
Wanky, during the interview with RMN Iloilo, also said he will be continuing the weekly media interview of police chiefs in Western Visayas, which was first implemented by former PRO6-director Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor./PN
