ANSON-ROA CALLS FOR THE CREATION OF A MEDIA WELFARE COMMISSION February 14, 2004 Senatorial candidate Boots Anson-Roa called yesterday for the creation of a government body that will be charged with protecting the rights of members of mass media and ensuring their well-being. Anson-Roa, who is running for the Senate under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino led by the Fernando Poe Jr.-Loren Legarda presidential tandem, made the call in the wake of the recent assassination of Ruel Endrinal, 45, a well-known Bicolano radio broadcaster. Anson-Roa proposed the creation of the Mass Media Welfare Commission by the government to protect the rights of mass media members and look after their well-being in case of unexpected contingencies, such as the killing of Endrinal. Endrinal, who was also publisher of the Bicol Metro News and host of the radio program Bicolano Ngayon, was gunned down while on his way to his radio station. "There has been a spate of killings with members of mass media as the hapless victims," said Anson-Roa, herself a prominent broadcaster. "I condemn the killing of Endrinal in the strongest terms as an assault on press freedom." She pointed out that since 1986, a total of 46 mass media practitioners, including Endrinal, have been killed with most, if not all, of the cases remaining unsolved.until today. "These killings, if not stopped, will remain as the big stumbling block to media's pursuit of their responsibililties and to their search for truth," she said. "The Commission will also look into the problems of media practitioners and in this respect, create a welfare fund as a form of assistance to them," the KNP bet said, adding that the body can also help in training members of their families in livelihood projects and entrepreneurial skills. The multi-awarded actress, who had been chosen as an oiutstanding media practiioner in 1997 by Eastern Communications, said one of the main responsibilities of the Commission is to be actively involved in the investigation and prosecution of suspects in the senseless killings of media people, and ultimately in their conviction. Anson-Roa, one-time head of the movie welfare fund, or Mowelfund, expressed particular interest in the immediate solution of the assassination of Endrinal by the authorities concerned.