The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apologized for the unpleasant behavior of its agents toward media personnel during an anti-drug operation in Pasay on Friday morning, March 17.
In a video footage, exasperated NBI agents were seen harassing media personnel who refused to sign an inventory form because they did not witnessed the actual ops.
The agents even made discriminatory remarks like "Bading" against the media personnel.
"While we try to observe standard operating procedures, given the technicalities in the conduct of field operations, the actions of some of our agents may have offended some media members," the NBI said in a press statement.
It stated that it would look into the incident and vowed to take action to ensure that this kind of behavior does not happen again.
"We appreciate the role of media in drug-related operations and commit to maintaining a fear and professional relationship with them," the NBI said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the reporters, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla said the media have "no duty to testify" in a drug operation if they are not part of the cooperative witness.
"Ang problema kasi minsan, isasama kayo sa imbentaryo na lang. Mali 'yun. Dapat sumama kayo sa proseso. Kapag sinama kayo sa imbentaryo lang, magkakaroon tayo ng problema," he said.
Remulla said the justice department would probe the incident.
