Media Groups Criticize Police for Handling of Photojournalists Covering ASEAN Meeting

MANILA, Philippines — Media organizations have condemned the police for alleged harassment of two photojournalists covering a protest rally in connection with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ministers’ meeting in Pasay City. In a statement, the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP) said antiriot personnel “confronted” freelance photographer Bullit Marquez and Manila Times photo editor Rene Dilan and “prevented” them from taking pictures of the arrest of some protesters. According to the PCP, the police officers attempted to arrest Marquez, a former chief photographer of the Associated Press, despite him wearing his press ID, and also tried to handcuff him when his camera fell to the ground during the commotion. The two photojournalists were covering a protest rally near the Philippine International Convention Center, which was also directed at US Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in Manila for the Asean meetings. “Journalists and photojournalists perform a vital public service by documenting events of public interest. They must be allowed to carry out their work without threats, obstruction, or intimidation,” the PCP said. Such actions by law enforcement that impede media coverage of public assemblies threaten press freedom, undermine the public’s right to information, and weaken the principles of transparency and accountability, the group added. The PCP called on authorities to investigate the incident, hold the concerned officers accountable, and make sure law enforcers respect press freedom. The Press Photographers of the Philippines said it was “standing in firm solidarity with Marquez, Dilan, and all media workers” as it made similar calls. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) also sided with Marquez and Dilan, stressing that members of the press have the right to report on matters of public interest. The task force encouraged journalists who believe their rights had been violated to come forward and file complaints. “We urge authorities to respect and protect the rights and safety of the press, allowing them to perform their duties independently,” said the PTFOMS. “Any use of force or intimidation against journalists undermines press freedom and the public’s right to information.” Meanwhile, the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines said one of its volunteers, Jian Sanz, was “illegally arrested by the Pasay police” during the rally before he was released following some negotiations. CEC said they denounce “harsh dispersal done by the police against the protestors, who are exercising their constitutional right to assemble and express in defense of environmental and human rights.” In a statement, the Southern Police District (SPD), which includes Pasay City in its jurisdiction, said “several police personnel also sustained injuries” in a commotion during the rally. The SPD said its antiriot teams followed standard security measures to prevent protesters from entering a restricted area, and that they were under instructions to observe maximum tolerance. Still, the SPD said, it will have the incident involving Marquez and Dilan investigated. The SPD said it maintains “utmost respect for the freedom of the press and recognizes the indispensable role of journalists and media practitioners in keeping the public informed.” “[The police] remains committed to transparency, accountability, the protection of human rights, and fostering a professional working relationship with the media as partners in keeping the public informed while ensuring the safety and security of all,” it added. /cb