The Philippine National Police (PNP) promised to help DZRH reporter Val Gonzales if and when he decides to file charges against members of the transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (MANIBELA).
MANIBELA members surrounded Gonzales and punched him while in the middle of a live report during the protest rally of the transport group on Monday, June 10, along East Avenue in Quezon City.
"Kung may intention si Sir (Gonzales) na magsampa ng kaso ay tutulungan natin at ibibigay natin yung assistance na kailangan niya," PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said during a press conference.
Meanwhile, Fajardo urged the protesters to refrain from hurting people, including members of the media.
The MBC Media Group, and its radio station DZRH condemns the violent actions of the rallyists against Gonzales, one of its reporters.
"Ang mga kaparehing pangha-harass ay malinaw na pagsikil sa karapatan sa pamamahayag at walang puwang sa isang sibilisadong lipunan," said Atty. Rudolph Jularbal, MBC-DZRH Station Manager and Vice President for Legal, in a statement.
"Determinado ang kumpanya na papanagutin ang mga nasa likod ng pananakit sa aming reporter upang hindi na maulit ang mga kaparehong sitwasyon," Jularbal added.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) also denounced the incident.
Usec. Paul Gutierrez, executive director of PTFoMS, said that he already coordinates with the Quezon City Police District in order to summon MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena.
