A number of reporters' groups slammed the violent actions of MANIBELA members against DZRH reporter RH Val Gonzales on Monday, June 10.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said in a press statement that they "strongly denounced the physical attack" on Gonzales as he reported on the severe traffic jam the Quezon City transport strike had caused.
PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul M. Gutierrez stated that this act of "physical abuse" will not sway the public into lending their support for MANIBELA's cause. Gonzales was only doing his job, said the director, who also disclosed that the transport group had accused Gonzales of having been hired to sow bias against them.
Gutierrez announced he had coordinated with Quezon City Police District Director Police Birgadier Red Maranan, to summon the transport group's chairman, Mar Valbuena, to answer for his members' "violent acts," and that the Task Force would back Gonzales should he wish to sue.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reporters' group Justice Reporters' Organization or JUROR echoed the sentiment, concluding that any form of harrassment against reporters merely relaying truthful information concerning public events is "unacceptable."
The Quezon City Journalist Group Inc. (QCJI) denounced the aggression as having no place in a society which upholds human rights for all, as a response to Valbuena asserting Gonzales was deserving of maltreatment. They hope the police investigation would prove fair--that Gonzales would be granted justice and those responsible for the harm inflicted be held accountable.
The Defense Press Corps called for protest leaders and organizers to "restrain their members" and "respect the freedom and rights of the free press."
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps of Camp Crame "empathically condemns the attack," saying any sort of harrassment directed at members of the media is a clear suppression of press freedom and human rights. Moreover, in their statement, Gonzales claimed to have been beaten by no less than nine protesters.
The Bureau of Corrections Presscorp also spoke out on the "violence inflicted" by MANIBELA.
We condemn the violence inflicted by the group Manibela on our fellow reporter from DZRH, @dzrh5 Val Gonzales.
— Gary de Leon (@garrydeleon) June 10, 2024
Such actions are unacceptable and should not be experienced by a journalist
Gary de leon
President
Bucor presscorp
Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo addressed the issue in a press briefing.
"Sana huwag saktan 'yung mga kaibigan po nating mga mamamahayag," Fajardo said. "Kung mayroon pong intensyon si Ginoong Val na magsampa ng kaso, ay tutulungan po natin, at ibibigay po natin yung assistance na kailangan."
["I hope people wouldn't hurt our friends, the reporters. If Mr. Val has intentions of filing a case (against MANIBELA), we will help him, we will give him the assistance he needs."]
The Manila Broadcasting Company, which owns DZRH, also expressed that they strongly condemn the attack on their reporter, and are determined to hold the people behind it accountable in order to prevent another similar situation from taking place.
