Journalist, binisita ng pulis… NCRPO, nagsori

ni Lolet Abania | October 16, 2022

Humingi ng paumanhin ang National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) na nakapagdulot umano ng “undue alarm and fear” sa publiko matapos na isa sa kanilang police officers ay bumisitang unannounced sa isang journalist.

Ayon kay JP Soriano ng GMA News nitong Sabado, isang lalaki ang nagpunta sa kanyang private residence, at nagpakilalang isang police officer, kung saan inutusan umano ito na i-check ang anumang threats o pagbabanta laban sa mga journalists.

“Isang nagpakilalang pulis ang nagpunta sa aking private residence ngayon, nagpakita ng I.D. pero hindi naka-uniform. Hinanap ako at maayos namang nagpakilala at sinabing inutusan daw sila ng #PNP para ‘kamustahin’ ang mga journalists at kung may ‘threat’ ba sa amin?” pahayag ni Soriano.

Sa isang statement, sinabi ni NCRPO chief BGen Jonnel Estomo na isa itong “gesture” na i-check kung may mga pagbabanta sa mga journalists matapos ang nangyaring ambush sa broadcaster na si Percy Lapid nito lamang buwan.

“In as much as the NCRPO is concerned about the safety and welfare of our mediamen, we confirm that it was our gesture to know if there are threats on their lives and of their families in order to assess the security assistance that we have to accord to them,” saad ni Estomo.

Gayunman, humingi ng sori ang NCRPO para sa pagkaalarma o undue alarm na naidulot ng insidente habang inatasan na ang mga police officers na anito, “stop and refrain from doing the same.”

“Though we have a good intention to this endeavor, I personally apologize to all our media friends and investigation is already on place pertaining to this incident,” pahayag ni Estomo.

Iniimbestigahan na ngayon ng mga awtoridad ang insidente, at isinummoned na rin ang officer na nagtungo sa tirahan ni Soriano.

Tanong naman ni Soriano ay kung paano nakuha ng mga awtoridad ang kanyang address.

“He was just following orders I’m sure kaya please do not suspend/reprimand him. Ang issue ko [here] is paano at saan nila nakuha ang home address namin?” giit ni Soriano.

Samantrala, kinondena ng National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) ang ginawang pagkilos ng NCRPO, habang tinawag nila itong “unassuring” sa gitna ng mga pagbabanta sa mga journalists.

“While the National Capital Region Police Office’s statement that they would reach out to journalists in the wake of murder of Percy Lapid is welcome and encouraging, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is concerned at reports of police officers visiting colleagues in their homes and without proper coordination,” saad ng NUJP.

“Assuming good faith, these meetings and dialogues are best done through newsrooms or through the various press corps, press clubs, and journalists’ organizations in the capital,” sabi pa ng NUJP.