Photojournalist claims police attempted to arrest him during Pasay protest

Police officers attempted to restrain and handcuff a photojournalist while he was covering a protest in Pasay City, Philippines, prompting a media group to condemn the actions as "harassment" and "intimidation" of journalists. Reports and footage of the incident showed Bullit Marquez being accosted by police, with another officer blocking him with a riot shield. Marquez's camera was also seen on the ground. Marquez stated that his camera was broken during the attempted arrest. He was later released after fellow photojournalist Maria Tan intervened on his behalf. In a DZRH interview, Marquez recounted that police attempted to prevent him from photographing the arrest of a protester. He explained that he reacted after being pulled by the police and his camera fell. "Of course, that was just a reaction. They pulled me, and when they pulled me, my camera fell. Then when I picked it up, they were already arresting me. They said they planned to handcuff me," he said. As of this writing, the Southern Police District has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident. The Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines condemned the "harassment" and "intimidation" of photojournalists during the protest. "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 group stated. "We call on the authorities to investigate these incidents, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure that all law enforcement personnel uphold and protect the rights of journalists in accordance with the Constitution, existing laws, and international standards on press freedom," it added. The incident highlights broader concerns about press freedom in the Philippines and the safety of journalists carrying out their duties.