The Eastern Police District (EPD) said on Sunday, Oct. 16, the visitation of members of the police force to journalists’ homes were done out of “good intention and genuine concerns” to protect media personalities, echoing the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)’s response after a reporter disclosed the unexpected visit of a police officer in civilian attire to his home on Saturday, Oct. 15.
“The actions made by Marikina City Police Station personnel, wherein they politely visited the residence of media journalists residing in their AOR and humbly discussed their noble intentions to know and determine their security concerns, was meant no harm to the latter but a manifestation of good intention and genuine concerns to our media friends to ensure their safety and security, after the recent shooting incident involving media personality,” the EPD said in a statement released on Sunday.
“The EPD wanted to protect the media personalities and guarantee freedom of the press within Metro East and has no intentions to offend or dig into their privacy but only to show commitment in our sworn duties and responsibilities to serve and protect,” it added.
Under the leadership of Acting District Director Col. Wilson Asueta, the EPD stressed it “always upholds the highest standard of public service in the execution of its mandate to serve and protect the people without fear or favor.”
On Saturday, Oct. 15, a reporter shared on his social media page that he was visited in his home in Marikina City by a man who introduced himself as a police officer, but was dressed in civilian clothing.
The police officer told him he was instructed to check the condition of media journalists in the area after the shooting incident that led to radio broadcaster Percy Lapid’s death in Las Pinas.
The officer also asked to take a picture of the reporter for “documentation,” which he declined.
After their meeting, the reporter said he personally called Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro to confirm if the local government instructed the local police to conduct such activities.
On the same day, the NCRPO released a statement saying the police forces’ visits were part of their media security efforts.
“In our commitment to protect them from danger and ensure their safety, we have been reaching out to our friends from the media, especially those who have been receiving threats. Unfortunately, a police officer reportedly visited a media personality in civilian clothes. The intention is good but unfortunately, this have caused undue alarm and fear,” said NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
Estomo said he has ordered all commanders from District Directors down to the Chiefs of Police and Station Commanders to stop and refrain from sending policemen to journalists’ homes after the incident.
According to the NCRPO, they have identified and summoned the police officer who visited the reporter.
“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,” Estomo said.