The PNP Press Corps expresses serious concern on the behavior displayed by Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan against GMA 7 Reporter Jun Venaracion during the Black Nazarene Procession coverage on Thursday in Manila.
General Bathan’s action of grabbing the cellular phone of Jun Veneracion and allegedly ordering one of his men to delete a video of the confrontation between policemen and devotees are not only an attack on press freedom but also trample on the rights of Mr. Veneracion as a civilian and a citizen of the country– both press freedom and basic rights of citizens are enshrined in the Constitution that the government, which General Bathan represents, vows to uphold and protect.
We understand the stress and pressure brought by the long preparation and the situation on the ground during the incident, but General Bathan’s thug-like attitude in front of his men is plain and simple conduct unbecoming of a PNP member, of a police general.
Undeniably, journalists have been the PNP’s partner in disseminating information on the regular progress of the security preparations for the Black Nazarene procession. They do not deserve to be treated that way for doing their job.
On the other hand, the PNP Press Corps appreciates the action of the PNP leadership headed PNP-OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa to order an investigation on the incident.
We likewise express our appreciation to General Bathan for being man enough to acknowledge his mistake and apologize to Mr. Veneracion.
The history of the PNP includes mutual respect and understanding of the police and the press, as both have long recognized that they have an obligation to do for the Filipino people. There must not be misunderstanding and quarrel on that.
In a Facebook post, GMA reporter Jun Veneracion claimed that Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan, chief of the Southern Police District, snatched his cellphone while he wasย recording a video of a commotion between the police and a Black Nazarene devotee.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac,ย PNP spokesperson, said they will not tolerate such behavior.
“Rest assured that theย PNP wouldn’t tolerate this and we always respect the rights of the media to cover events like this,”
Banac told CNN Philippines Friday morning.
Gen. Banac told CNN Philippines Friday morning.
Banac said the PNP is waiting for the statement of the National Capital Region Police Office on the incident.
“We will look into this and the PNP will deal with this matter speedily,” the police spokesman said.
โDelete the videoโ
Bathan was also recorded directing a police officer to delete the video that the journalist took of cops dragging a devotee to the ground.
In the video, Bathan could be heard saying: โBurahin mo, burahin mo kuha ni Jun Veneracion. P******** nagku-kwan eh.โ
When asked by reporters about the recording of him ordering someone to delete the video, Bathan said in a mix of English and Filipino: โI donโt know. Itโs a mess there. It was another person who said that.โ
Probe must be done
According to the statement of Gen. Sinas “The regional Internal Affairs Service will investigate the incident”.
โWeโll still have our investigation kay Gen. Bathan as part of the protocol,โ Sinas also added.
In a statement Friday, the National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines said the Philippine National Police should sanction Bathan.
โSuch behavior not only makes a mockery of the policemanโs oath to โServe and Protect,โ if unpunished, it can only add to the worsening impunity that has marked the general breakdown of the rule of law in this country,โ NUJP said.
NUJP added: โAnything less can bolster the growing perception that our law enforcers are also the primary lawbreakers.โ
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