10/09/2026
After the rift, PRO-CAR and Cordillera press corps meet again
Mia Magdalena Fokno | September 10, 2026
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Six months after the Cordillera PNP Press Corps dissolved its officers over deteriorating relations with the regional police, journalists and Police Regional Office-Cordillera sat down together again Thursday, this time under a new regional director.
Police Brigadier General Noel B. Vallo, who formally assumed command of PRO-CAR on August 28, hosted members of the Press Corps for a meet-and-greet at the Log Cabin in Camp Major Bado Dangwa on September 10.
Vallo succeeded PBGen Ericson Dilag, who was regional director when the Press Corps publicly raised its concerns earlier this year. Published reports confirmed Vallo’s reassignment to PRO-CAR as part of the August 28 PNP reshuffle.
The gathering came less than two weeks after Vallo took command and six months after a public rupture between the regional police and the media organization.
On March 3, the Cordillera PNP Press Corps announced the dissolution of its then set of officers, citing what it described as nearly a year of exclusion from official police engagements, ceremonies, and press briefings.
The group said relations with PRO-CAR had deteriorated to the point that it no longer wanted to maintain the appearance of a working partnership.
The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club later backed the Press Corps and called for transparency, mutual respect, and professional cooperation between police and media.
Thursday’s meeting struck a different tone.
Vallo told journalists that the regional police office would remain open to media partners and stressed the need for information reaching the public to be accurate, verified, and responsible.
“Mahalaga ang ating pagtutulungan upang matiyak na ang impormasyong nakakarating sa publiko ay tama, beripikado, at responsable,” Vallo said.
He described media as a bridge between the police and the community and said his office wanted orderly communication and a fair working relationship.
“Bilang inyong regional director, nais kong ipabatid na bukas ang aming tanggapan sa ating mga media partners,” he said.
Cordillera PNP Press Corps president Harley Palangchao of The Manila Times likewise stressed the importance of keeping communication open, particularly when journalists need to verify police operations or counter misinformation.
He acknowledged that police and journalists will not always see issues the same way.
“We don’t always agree on things. We disagree on some things, but that is part of the democratic process,” Palangchao said.
He urged police officials to remain accessible when journalists need accurate and reliable information, echoing one of the concerns raised by the Press Corps in March.
Palangchao thanked the new PRO-CAR leadership for recognizing the role of the media and expressed hope that the renewed engagement would continue.
Vallo, meanwhile, thanked journalists for accepting the invitation and said police and media ultimately serve the same communities.
The meeting ended with fellowship and informal conversations among journalists, PRO-CAR officials, and provincial and city police commanders.
Six months after relations publicly broke down, the two sides are talking again. The test now is whether that openness continues when journalists need access, verification, or answers to difficult questions.
📷 Mia Magdalena Fokno
