MANILA, Philippines ? A media organization on Thursday joined militant groups in denouncing the violent dispersal of student activists who breached Malacañang gates on Wednesday, even as the Commission on Human Rights ordered a probe into accusations that the Palace guards used excessive force.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) wryly noted how members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) ?manhandled? and ?harassed? photographers covering the rally but would later approach them to request copies of their shots.

The NUJP cited an account involving the Inquirer?s Rem Zamora, saying he and fellow photographers were ?not spared rough handling? during the dispersal.

?In cahoots?

?Some of the uniformed personnel tried to cover (Zamora?s) camera lens to prevent him from documenting the incident? and at one point even accused him of being in cahoots with the protesters, the NUJP said.

?While at times covering such protests and their violent aftermath can accidentally cause physical harm to journalists and media workers, the account of (Zamora) indicates that the assault on him and other colleagues, who (had) proper identifications and were clearly there to perform their duties, was deliberate,? the group said.

After the commotion, the group said, a PSG member, ?who only minutes earlier had manhandled? Zamora, approached him and other photojournalists asking if he could ask copies of their photographs.

Outnumbered

Deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez Thursday maintained that the PSG members ?were outnumbered? by the estimated 200 protesters and that ?they did everything they could? to stop the students from entering restricted Palace grounds.

?In fact, there were only four (guards) at the start until reinforcements arrived,? Golez said.

He stressed that the PSG?which was eventually backed up by members of the Manila police?did not apply excessive force and that the student?s assembly at Malacañang?s Gate 7 was ?illegal.?

?Obviously, anybody who attempts to enter a very restricted area is aware of the consequences,? Golez said.

But the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said TV footages and news photos of the dispersal had clearly captured the overkill.

Excessive force

?Even the arrested students were (still) beaten up,? said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, referring to the 20 activists who were detained by the Manila police for illegal assembly. ?(Malacanang should) suspend the PSG members who were caught on tape punching the arrested activists.?

In a text message to the Inquirer, CHR Chair Leila de Lima said the commission?s National Capital Region office will ?look into whether excessive force was used.?

Wednesday?s lightning rally at Malacañang slammed the government?s controversial spending, particularly the pricey restaurant dinners President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and party had during a recent trip to the United States. With a report from Nikko Dizon