MMDAexec’s Tokhang joke draws Palace warning

Malacañang will not tolerate “irresponsible and threatening” remarks aimed at members of the media, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in reaction to reports that an official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had joked about journalists becoming targets of the controversial Oplan Tokhang antidrug campaign for writing reports critical of the agency. In a statement on Saturday, Andanar said President Duterte had issued an administrative order creating a task force on media security, and that all government officials should be aware of this. Andanar’s statement did not name any government official, but it was apparently referring to MMDAassistant general manager for planning Jojo Garcia. Before the start of a press briefing on Wednesday, Garcia cracked a joke about reporters who come up with “negative” stories about the MMDAand quipped: “Where’s my .45 (caliber pistol)? … Ipa- Tokhang na

natin ‘yan (Let’s get them through Tokhang).” MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said there were “no discussions yet” as of Saturday if sanctions would be imposed on Garcia.—