Radio reporter’s alleged assault by Manibela members condemned

FILE PHOTO: A radio reporter’s alleged physical assault by protesting jeepney drivers in Quezon City on Monday, June 10, 2024, is being condemned by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS). Paul Gutierrez (in photo), head of PTFoMS, said “this violence against a member of the media, Val Gonzales” is condemnable because the radio reporter “is only performing his duty in reporting events in our country.” INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A radio reporter’s alleged physical assault by protesting jeepney drivers in Quezon City on Monday has been condemned by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).

“Mariin natin kinokondena ang karahasan na ito laban sa isang kagawad ng media, sa katauhan ni kasamang Val Gonzales, na gumaganap lamang sa kanyang tungkulin sa pag-uulat ng mga kaganapan sa ating bansa,” PTFoMS executive director Paul Gutierrez said in a statement.

(We strongly condemn this violence against a member of the media, Val Gonzales, who is only performing his duty in reporting events in our country.)

READ: Radio reporter allegedly hit by ‘provoked’ jeepney drivers on strike

According to Gutierrez, the assault against the DZRH veteran field reporter will not help transport group Manibela earn any public support on the issues they are trying to promote.

He also cited other reported incidents of alleged harassment against media workers by Manibela.

“Ganito rin ang sumbong sa atin ng ating mga kasamahang reporter sa transport strike ngayong araw. Bukod sa pananakit kay Val Gonzales, hayagan ding inakusahan ng mgakasapi ng Manibela ang mga nag-cover na media nang pagiging ‘bayaran’ at umano’y pagiging ‘biased’ laban sa kanilang grupo,” said Gutierrez.

(This has also been reported to us by our fellow reporters covering the transport strike today. Apart from hurting Val Gonzales, Manibela members also openly accused the covering media of being “paid” and allegedly being “biased” against their group.)

“Kung inaakala ng grupo ni Mr. Valbuena na ang ganitong mga paratang at pandarahas sahanay ng midya ay makatutulong sa kanilang ipinaglalaban, nagkakamali sila. Naniniwalatayong hindi susuportahan ng publiko ang mga hakbang na may kaasamang pandarahas at pananakot,” he added.

(If the group of Mr. Valbuena believes that such accusations and violence against the media will help what they are fighting for, they are wrong. We believe that the public will not support measures that involve violence and intimidation.)

READ: 3-day strike set vs PUV crackdown

Gutierrez likewise said PTFoMS is ready to support Gonzales if he decides to sue the transport group.

Citing Gonzales’ statement, PTFoMS said the radio reporter was punched in the waist at least twice by a member of Manibela – supposedly for no apparent reason – while doing a live report near the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office along East Avenue, Quezon City, where the Manibela members staged a protest.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena, however, said the radio reporter may have started the brouhaha.

In a statement, Valbuena said Gonzales made malicious statements that infuriated members.

“Ang nakita lamang sa kaniyang video report ay ang paligiran diumano siya ng aming mga miyembro, ngunit ito ay para kausapin lamang siya nang mahinahon. Ngunit hindi niya nilantad ang kaniyang mga malisyusong sinasabi bago siya umere, kaya diumano siya sinaktan,” he added.

(The only thing seen in his video report is that our members supposedly surrounded him, but it was only to talk to him calmly. But he did not expose his malicious words before he went on air, which is why he was allegedly hit.)