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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider PNP general apologizes for phone-snatching incident

PNP general apologizes for phone-snatching incident

Published Jan 10, 2020 12:00 am
By Joseph Almer Pedrajas  The Philippine National Police (PNP) general who snatched GMA News reporter Jun Veneracion's phone during "Traslacion" issued an apology on Friday. Southern Metro Manila police commander, Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan apologizes to GMA TV reporter Jun Veneracion for confiscating his cellphone; says he thought the reporter poses Southern Metro Manila police commander, Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan apologizes to GMA TV reporter Jun Veneracion for confiscating his cellphone; says he thought the reporter poses "a threat" as a commotion was occurring between a cop and a devotee during the incident. (Martin Sadongdong / MANILA BULLETIN) "I would like to apologize for what happened at Ayala Bridge, Manila during the procession of the Black Nazarene 2020 wherein I confiscated the cellular phone of the media personality who was later on identified as Mr. Jun Veneracion of GMA 7," Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan said in a statement sent to reporters by SPD public information office. According to him, he did it because he was "thinking that was someone who poses a threat during the procession." Bathan also said that "there was a commotion...during the time Mr. Veneracion was at the said place and "everything went uncontrollable" when police already let go of the "andas" or carriage of the Black Nazarene. "On the part of the PNP, we still have to maintain the security in the area because the situation is very critical at that moment," Bathan further explained. The SPD director said that what happened between him and Veneracion was a "misunderstanding" and "it all happened unintentionally." "I again sincerely apologized for my actions...we are just securing peace and order in the area," he added. Veneracion was taking a video of a tussle between cops and a devotee in Quiapo on Thursday during the "Traslacion" when Bathan took away his cellphone. The video, who Bathan allegedly tried to delete, was later recovered and posted on Veneracion's Facebook account. READ MORE: PNP probes general who ‘snatched’ TV reporter’s cellphone during ‘Traslacion’, Palace tells Nazarene devotees: Sorry but PNP did what needs to be done
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