The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) called on appropriate agencies to conduct a "swift but thorough investigation" into the reported violence against two women reporters in Brgy. Anunas Angeles City, Pampanga.
In a statement, KBP President Noel Galvez condemned what he called a "cowardly attack" against Rowena 'Weng' Quejada of 88.7 K5 News FM and Joann Manabat of Rappler who were covering a "violent demolition" in the said barangay last March 12.
"This is why the KBP in solidarity with other press groups and media organizations calls on law enforcement authorities and other appropriate agencies to conduct a swift but thorough investigation on this cowardly attack and subsequently pursue legal action against those responsible," he said.
As per the KBP president, they are now investigating the reported violence in coordination with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security and Task Force AO35 spearheaded by the justice department.
“In sum, the KBP calls on the public and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and exert concerted efforts to safeguard our democratic values and the safety not only of our journalists but of our citizens in general,” Galvez remarked.
In a published article by Rappler, armed men clad in red and white shirts reportedly blocked Manabat from entering Brgy. Anunas and ordered to stop recording the demolition.
The armed men had threatened to shoot Manabat and confiscate her photos.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), meanwhile, reported that Quejada went missing but was later found on the same day of coverage.
Quejada also experienced the same harassment from the armed men, NUJP said.
"One of the men pointed a gun at her, telling her to stop taking videos. The man also hurled invective, calling the media, "demonyo" (devil) for reporting about the ongoing land dispute," it said.
"The armed men took Quejada's cellphone, shoulder bag and wallet containing cash. A Japanese national who witnessed the incident helped Quejada, and hid the latter inside his home. She stayed with the Japanese family until the tension ease," NUJP added.
UPDATE: Rowena Quejada of K5 News Olongapo FM has been found, and is now safe.
— NUJP (@nujp) March 12, 2024
Quejada was covering a violent demolition in Sitio Balubad, Brgy. Anunas, Angeles, Pampanga when she was confronted by members of the demolition team of Clarkhills Properties Corporation, - https://t.co/9hL8fSr3Bg
The demoliton caused tension between the residents and the police, leaving five individuals injured.
Clarkhills Properties Corporation reportedly ordered the said demotion, claiming ownership in the 73-hectares of land.
