Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. must think the Filipino people are as blind as his subordinates when he said it was difficult to determine who were protesters and who were journalists in yesterday’s violent dispersal in Pasay City.
The general obviously has such a low regard for his personnel’s sense of sight and judgement for their astonishing inability to know what press IDs and cameras are for, as well as the people’s capacity to discern that yesterday’s violence was nothing but repression and oppression. Unfortunately for the general, videos of the police’s attempt to arrest photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Renato Dilan contradict his lame effort at a cover-up. The media workers’ cameras clearly identified them as journalists covering the event.
Police efforts to prevent photos being taken of Bangsamoro leader Amirah Lidasan’s attempted arrest triggered the apprehension of Marquez and Dilan. No spin, even by the country’s top cop, could undermine the fact. The simultaneous detention of Bulatlat correspondent Jian Sanz during the dispersal also belies Nartatez Jr.’s claim that no journalist was targeted. Sanz said it was a lie that she was rescued by police officers when she fell and was trampled upon during the commotion.
“Firstly, three or four of you tried to arrest me…You are such liars, and the worst!” she said.
Altermidya Network condemns the PNP for its violence, lies, and utter disregard for the people’s right to peaceably assemble and air grievances. We condemn the police for its attacks on media workers and contempt for our work. We demand an independent investigation into the incident and appropriate charges filed against the perpetrators, including PNP’s chief liar, Nartatez Jr., himself.
