The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) denounces the brazen abuse of authority and unprofessionalism of the chief of police of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, who harassed and threatened our member, dzMM Radyo Patrol reporter Noel Alamar, who is also president of the PNP Press Corps.

Alamar, who had gone home to Pola to attend the first death anniversary of his mother, was attempting to get the side of Chief Inspector Telesforo Domingo, who had been accused by town residents of partisanship during the May 10 elections, Thursday evening.

However, Domingo, who Alamar said had obviously been drinking, confiscated his video camera and ordered his men to arrest the reporter for “obstruction of justice.” Pictures sent by Alamar of the incident clearly show that Domingo and his men were not in the proper uniform as required by PNP regulations.

Alamar stood his ground and only the timely arrival of teams from the Provincial Mobile Group and the intervention of the incumbent mayor eased the tensions.

We understand from Alamar that he has talked to Domingo, who has apologized and returned his camera. Nevertheless, Alamar said the PNP has begun an investigation into Domingo’s shameless actions.

While we commend the PNP for immediately launching a investigation into the incident, we demand that it go a step further and immediately relieve Domingo and all his men who were involved in threatening and harassing Alamar so as to prevent them from further abusing their authority and hampering the probe.

We also ask that the investigation be concluded as quickly as possible and sanctions be immediately imposed on Domingo and his men to set an example to all other PNP personnel. Abusive law enforcers such as Domingo are among the reasons the culture of impunity that has cost the Philippine media 137 lives since 1986 continues to thrive in this country.

References:

Nestor Burgos
Chairperson

Nonoy Espina
Vice Chairperson

Sonny Fernandez
Secretary General

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