MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) denounced the reported physical attack by members of Manibela against a radio reporter covering the transport strike staged by the group on Monday in Quezon City.
In a statement, PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said Val Gonzales, a veteran field reporter of radio station DZRH, and other members of the press, reported to the task force about the attack on the journalist.
PTFoMS said Gonzales was "punched in the waist at least twice by a member of Manibela, for no apparent reason," while fielding his report along East Avenue.
“Mariin natin kinokondena ang karahasan na ito laban sa isang kagawad ng media, sa katauhan ni kasamang Val Gonzales, na gumaganap lamang sa kanyang tungkulin sa pag-uulat ng mga kaganapan sa ating bansa (We strongly condemn this violence against a member of the media, in the person of Val Gonzales, who was just fulfilling his duty to report the latest happenings in the country,” Gutierrez said.
He said he already coordinated with Quezon City Police District Director Red Maranan, to summon Manibela chairperson Mario Valbuena for the violent acts of his members.
READ: Radio station condemns assault of reporter covering transport strike
He said during an earlier transport strike staged by the transport group, DZBB field reporter Allan Gatus was also verbally abused by the strikers, accusing him of being paid and biased.
“Kung inaakala ng grupo ni Mr. Valbuena na ang ganitong mga paratang at pandarahas sa hanay ng midya ay makatutulong sa kanilang ipinaglalaban, nagkakamali sila (If the group of Mr. Valbuena thinks that such accusations and violence against the media will help them in their cause, they are wrong),” Gutierrez said.
“Naniniwala tayong hindi susuportahan ng publiko ang mga hakbang na may kaasamang pandarahas at pananakot (We believe that the public will not support steps that involve violence and intimidation),” he said.
He said the task force is ready to support Gonzales, who wants to sue the transport group.
In a separate statement, the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), the company behind DZRH, also condemned the incident, saying the attack has no room in a civilized society.
“Determinado ang kompanya na panagutin ang mga nasa likod ng pananakit sa aming reporter upang hindi na maulit ang mga kaparehong sitwasyon (The company is determined to hold accountable those behind the assault on our reporter so that similar situations do not happen again),” MBC said.
Fellow journos cry foul
Various press organizations also condemned Manibela’s act of violence against Gonzales.
"The emotions and perceptions stemming from a written or broadcast report can never be a justification to subject a journalist to physical harm," the Defense Press Corps (DPC) said in a statement.
The DPC also called on organizers and leaders of the protesters to restrain their members and respect the freedom and rights of the free press.
"In the same way the press is instrumental in extending the voice of sectors seeking redress for grievances against the government, so too should these sectors value respect and safeguard the safety of journalists," it said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps also deplored the incident as an act of suppression of press freedom.
“The PNP Press Corps is calling for immediate action from authorities against those behind the attack against Gonzales, and Manibela’s leadership who is responsible for the acts of their members,” it said.
It vowed to help Gonzales should he decide to pursue legal action against the group.
Members of the Justice Reporters' Organization (JUROR) also condemned the attack against Gonzales.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang anumang uri ng karahasan o pag-atake sa mga mamamahayag na nangangalap at naghahatid lamang ng impormasyon at tunay na pangyayari sa publiko (Any kind of violence or attack against journalist who only gathers and delivers information and actual events to the public is unacceptable),” the group said in a statement. (with Priam Nepomuceno & Lloyd Caliwan/Marita Moaje/PNA)
