The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Press Corps condemned the assault on a radio reporter by members of Manibela transport group who were protesting the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) phase-out program on Monday, June 10.
The press corps said the attack is a clear violation of press freedom and rights of journalists who delivering timely and truthful information to the public.
“Mariing kinukundena ng QCPDPC ang marahas na pananakit ng ilang miyembro ng transport group na Manibela ngayong araw habang isinasagawa ang trabaho ng isang radio network reporter para ihatid ng balita sa kilos protesta na isinasagawa ng grupo (The QCPDPC strongly condemns the violent assault by several members of transport group Manibela on a radio network reporter while he was delivering news about the group's protest),” it said.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang anumang uri ng harassment, pananakit at pananakot sa mga mamamahayag na ang tanging layunin lamang ay makapaghatid ng balita (Any form of harassment, violence, and intimidation against journalists, whose sole purpose is to deliver news, is unacceptable),” the press corps added.
The members of the press corps urged authorities to take action on the incident and hold the inviduals involved accountable.
The press corps also emphasized that the actions of the protesters were contrary to the principles of a democratic society, where journalists strive to provide unbiased and accurate news to the public.