Philippine Police Investigate Alleged Attempted Arrest of Photojournalists

The Southern Police District (SPD) has launched an investigation into police officers who allegedly harassed and attempted to arrest photojournalists covering an anti-ASEAN protest in Pasay City on July 22. In a statement issued on July 22, the SPD said the incident is undergoing a fair and impartial investigation to establish the facts surrounding the confrontation between the photojournalists and the police. “The Southern Police District expresses its utmost respect for the freedom of the press and recognizes the indispensable role of journalists and media practitioners in keeping the public informed. Likewise, the SPD remains committed to upholding and protecting the human rights of every individual while ensuring public safety and maintaining peace and order,” the SPD’s statement read. According to a report by the STAR, Pasay police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto said the attempted arrest of photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan was just an honest mistake. “Napagkamalang raliyista kasi nakihalo sa karamihan [na] nakikipagtulakan," De Sesto said, according to the STAR. ([They] mistook [them] for a protester because [they] mixed in with the crowd that was pushing and shoving.) Another journalist, Jian Sanz of Bulatlat, was assisted and brought to the police station after she "accidentally fell and was stepped on by other participants," according to the police report. She was eventually released, and no charges were filed against her. According to Marquez, police officers attempted to block his shot as he was taking a picture of a protester being arrested. A social media post by photojournalist Maria Tan, who told the police that Marquez was a photojournalist, showed the photo the officers attempted to block. In a statement, the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines (PCP) 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 PCP’s statement read. “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 Presidential Task Force on Media Security also expressed its “deep concern” about the incident. “PTFOMS strongly condemns this act of aggression against members of the press performing their professional duties by covering public demonstrations. Journalists have the right to safely report and document matters of public interest,” PTFOMS' statement read.