High Risk

Survival Tips For Journalist

(Third of 6 parts)

by RECTO I. VIDAL

For the past two weeks, this corner was able to share with our dear readers tips on how to deal with death threats and how to keep your family safe from possible dangers while plying your trade as news persons.
For this issue, I will deal with some ways and means on "How to deal with Surveillance."

To start with, always be alert; second, familiarize yourself with the neighborhood; third, take note of suspicious–looking persons or vehicles and secretly take their photos; fourth, report the presence of any suspicious persons, vehicles to colleagues, friends and family; fifth, file a complaint with the police; sixth, surveillance can be detected in chokepoints, like traffic lights, busy intersections, bridges and narrow streets;

Eight, when driving, be on the lookout for vehicles, especially for motorbikes following you; ninth, keep your car in good running condition; tenth, when driving on wide avenues, try to stay close to the center island; eleventh, avoid walking into deserted, dark streets and alleys; twelfth, if being followed, proceed to the nearest police station; and while riding in taxis, always check vehicles that maybe constantly tailing you. In case there is, ask the driver to honk the horns and go to the nearest police station.

This tips aren’t meant only for journalists but can likewise come in handy for our readers who may be faced with similar situations.

Next issue, I will deal with how to "cover natural and human-induced catas-trophic events "such as disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquake, tsunami, chemical spill, and others. Just stay safe! /MP