Balance concern for security with respect for privacy of journalists – CHR to cops

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers need to balance their concern for the security of journalists with respect for their privacy, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said in a statement on Monday.

“We note the proactive effort of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in ensuring media safety by initiating unannounced house visits, albeit raising concerns, following the killing of journalist Percy Lapid,” CHR said.

The CHR was referring to Percival Mabasa, who was popularly known as radio commentator Percy Lapid, the host of “Lapid Fire,” who was shot dead in an ambush last Oct. 3 at the gate of the subdivision where he lived.

“The Commission on Human Rights reminds law enforcement officers that ensuring media safety necessitates a careful balance in respecting individual and collective rights. Media security is best pursued through regular coordination with their respective organizations, as well as journalist groups, to institutionalize efforts protecting media freedom and safety,” the CHR statement said.

The CHR welcomed, however, that order of Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, the NCRPO chief, to stop the visits, along with an investigation.

The first police visit happened to TV journalist J.P. Soriano of GMA News.

He said two men in plain clothes checked on him at his house. They identified themselves as police officers.

After the visit, the officers asked for his contact details and if they could take his photo. The journalist declined.

He then tried to confirm the visit with authorities, and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. promised to look into the matter.

Several journalists and groups expressed unease over the visit.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the visits only fueled more anxiety for reporters. The police, the NUJP said, should have coordinated press clubs, beat offices, or newsrooms.

The NCRPO confirmed that the visits were part of its response to securing media workers. Estomo apologized for the incident and assured reporters that he had asked officers to stop the unannounced visits.

Police started taking steps to secure the media after two television reporters were threatened to be the “next” on the hitlist after Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, who was killed last Oct. 3 outside the subdivision where he lived.

Earlier on Monday, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed a resolution asking the Committee on Human Rights to probe the incident.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a key member of the minority, said the unannounced visits appeared similar to the past administration’s Oplan Tokhang, with law enforcers knocking on the homes of drug suspects.

—WITH A REPORT FROM JOSHUA GO (TRAINEE)

RELATED STORIES

Cop’s visit to journalist’s home stirs media unease

NCRPO to cops: Stop visiting homes of journalists in Metro Manila

Lawmakers alarmed by PNP’s visits to journalists’ homes 

atm