NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur – The Bicol Press Club (BPC) condemned on Friday, August 11, the arrest of a Radyo Natin Iriga reporter for alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act for scanning the police blotter at the Iriga City Police Station.
Michael Marpuri, BPC volunteer lawyer, called on the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to come up with remedial measures to avoid a repeat of the incident.
"Just to be clear, we are condemning the person, we are not condemning the institution but we are condemning is the act. Hinihingi namin sa liderato ng PNP na sana ma-come up ng remedial measures so that a repetition of this crime hindi na po mangyari (We ask the PNP leadership for remedial measures so that this incident won’t happen again)," Marpuri said.
"At BPC, we firmly believe in the crucial role that media professionals play in upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of civil liberties,” Marpuri said.
“It is disheartening to witness an incident where a dedicated media personality such as Mr. Pajarez was subjected to undue aggression up to his arrest and detention, and eventually filing case for alleged violation of Data Privacy Act while performing his duty to inform the public. The incident paints a troubling picture of an officer overstepping the boundaries of their authority. Such behavior not only undermines the integrity of law enforcement but also jeopardizes the public's trust in the guardians of our safety and security,” the BPC said.
Jose Rizal "Joeriz" Pajarez, reporter of Radyo Natin Iriga, on August 2, was arrested after Police Lt. Col. Ralph Jason Oida, Iriga City police chief, personally saw him scanning the police blotter.
Pajarez was detained at the police station for at least three days before posting P10,000 bail.
The Police Regional Office-5 said Pajarez was arrested for alleged unauthorized access and violation of data confidentiality and security protocols pertaining to the access of police blotter which stores personal and sensitive information.
"Initially, the individual had requested access to information on the police blotter and was advised by the duty investigator to follow basic protocols. This protocol involved seeking permission from the chief of police of Iriga, with the assistance of the duty desk officer,” PRO-5 said.
However, despite this guidance, the media personality took the police blotter from the desk officer, accessed the information without permission and adhering to the proper procedures. This action occurred while the duty police officer was in the process of contacting the chief of police to arrange a meeting with the media.
Oida personally witnessed the media personality scanning through the blotter book which is in contravention of Memorandum Circular No. 2020-037, which pertains to Police Blotter and CIRAS Information Access in relation to the Data Privacy Act of 2012, PRO-5 added.
Marpuri said that Pajares has been doing this for at least 10 years as part of his news gathering and reporting.
"We cannot set aside the fact, in my opinion as a lawyer and a former broadcaster, there is crime committed there. There's is an exemption under the law that if the processing of data is used for journalistic purposes, literary, etc., the law is very clear, it does not apply," Marpuri said.
Marpuri added that Pajarez was hospitalized for high blood pressure due to psychological stress after he was handcuffed and detained just like a criminal. His family was also affected by the incident.
Oida has been relieved from his post and reassigned to the provincial headquarters effective August 10.
Police Major Jabesh Nicolas Napolis was named officer-in-charge of the Iriga CPS.