EPD chief apologizes over cops' visits in newsmen's homes | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
![dpo-dps-seal](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/Seal_Image_OD.png)
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
EPD chief apologizes over cops' visits in newsmen's homes
EPD chief apologizes over cops' visits in newsmen's homes
Jose Carretero,
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 16, 2022 03:09 PM PHT
|
Updated Oct 16, 2022 07:38 PM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
MANILA - The acting director of the Eastern Police District in the National Capital Region Police Office apologized Sunday to members of the press who complain of privacy violation as cops visited their homes.
MANILA - The acting director of the Eastern Police District in the National Capital Region Police Office apologized Sunday to members of the press who complain of privacy violation as cops visited their homes.
"Kung privacy ang pinag-uusapan, our [apologies] na lang. Basta, it's not our intention to violate their privacy. Ang kailangan namin, maging proactive lang kami," Col. Wilson Asueta said of the incident that happened in Marikina City.
"Kung privacy ang pinag-uusapan, our [apologies] na lang. Basta, it's not our intention to violate their privacy. Ang kailangan namin, maging proactive lang kami," Col. Wilson Asueta said of the incident that happened in Marikina City.
Asueta confirmed that PNP personnel have indeed visited some members of media in his area of responsibility. It was implemented in Metro Manila but he refused to comment when asked where the order came from.
Asueta confirmed that PNP personnel have indeed visited some members of media in his area of responsibility. It was implemented in Metro Manila but he refused to comment when asked where the order came from.
But he said the purpose of the visit is to ensure the safety of media practitioners, following the killing of broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa weeks ago.
But he said the purpose of the visit is to ensure the safety of media practitioners, following the killing of broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa weeks ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Well, ang pinaka-purpose namin diyan, to ensure safe and secured ang ating mga friends from the media, lalong lalo na ang ating mga broadcast practitioner, yung mga sa field, and of course sa lahat na ating mga press group," he said.
“Well, ang pinaka-purpose namin diyan, to ensure safe and secured ang ating mga friends from the media, lalong lalo na ang ating mga broadcast practitioner, yung mga sa field, and of course sa lahat na ating mga press group," he said.
"So, we want to ensure and to give them assurance that they have been taken care of by the PNP. So, ayaw namin na maulit yung nangyari kay yung sa Las Pinas, kay broadcaster Lapid," he added.
"So, we want to ensure and to give them assurance that they have been taken care of by the PNP. So, ayaw namin na maulit yung nangyari kay yung sa Las Pinas, kay broadcaster Lapid," he added.
Asueta said the objective of the visit is get information so they can anticipate their possible actions and offer counter-measures in case the media personnel has threats and regularly travels.
Asueta said the objective of the visit is get information so they can anticipate their possible actions and offer counter-measures in case the media personnel has threats and regularly travels.
It is not to conduct surveillance, he said.
It is not to conduct surveillance, he said.
Knowing the residential address of media personnel in his area of responsibility will be good to ensure their safety, especially if they have work-related threats, the police official said.
Knowing the residential address of media personnel in his area of responsibility will be good to ensure their safety, especially if they have work-related threats, the police official said.
“Siyempre, malalaman naman ang address. Mas maganda nga alam ang address nila so that alam namin agad if in case may problema, alam namin agad kung saan pupunta at may idea kami," said Asueta.
“Siyempre, malalaman naman ang address. Mas maganda nga alam ang address nila so that alam namin agad if in case may problema, alam namin agad kung saan pupunta at may idea kami," said Asueta.
"Hindi namin sila isu-surveillance or whatever. But we are, nandiyan kami para alamin namin kung ano ang kanilang kalagayan. Mas maganda nga kung malalaman namin kung saan sila nakatira para madali kaming makatulong,” he added.
"Hindi namin sila isu-surveillance or whatever. But we are, nandiyan kami para alamin namin kung ano ang kanilang kalagayan. Mas maganda nga kung malalaman namin kung saan sila nakatira para madali kaming makatulong,” he added.
In a separate statement, the EDP said it "wanted to protect the Media Personalities and guarantee Freedom of the Press within Metro East and has no intentions to offend or dig into their privacy but only to show commitment in our sworn duties and responsibilities to SERVE and PROTECT."
In a separate statement, the EDP said it "wanted to protect the Media Personalities and guarantee Freedom of the Press within Metro East and has no intentions to offend or dig into their privacy but only to show commitment in our sworn duties and responsibilities to SERVE and PROTECT."
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines expressed concern over reports of police officers visiting journalists in their homes without prior coordination, saying it violates the right to privacy.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines expressed concern over reports of police officers visiting journalists in their homes without prior coordination, saying it violates the right to privacy.
"Assuming good faith, these meetings and dialogues are best done through newsrooms or through the various press corps, press clubs and journalists' organizations in the capital," the NUJP said, adding it actually welcomes and finds encouraging the statement of the NCRPO that it will reach out to journalists following the killing of Mabasa.
"Assuming good faith, these meetings and dialogues are best done through newsrooms or through the various press corps, press clubs and journalists' organizations in the capital," the NUJP said, adding it actually welcomes and finds encouraging the statement of the NCRPO that it will reach out to journalists following the killing of Mabasa.
"Far from making us feel safe, the visits add to our anxiety as these were done without coordination with newsrooms... We urge the NCRPO and other police units to arrange these dialogues through more formal channels," the media group said.
"Far from making us feel safe, the visits add to our anxiety as these were done without coordination with newsrooms... We urge the NCRPO and other police units to arrange these dialogues through more formal channels," the media group said.
It also asked the police to address online threats to journalists.
It also asked the police to address online threats to journalists.
For now, the visitation has been discontinued as the PNP prepares a more systematic approach to avoid misinterpretation, said Asueta.
For now, the visitation has been discontinued as the PNP prepares a more systematic approach to avoid misinterpretation, said Asueta.
The NCRPO has also offered apologies after GMA News reporter JP Soriano expressed worry over the surprise visit of a policeman in his house.
The NCRPO has also offered apologies after GMA News reporter JP Soriano expressed worry over the surprise visit of a policeman in his house.
RELATED NEWS
Read More:
PatrolPH
Tagalog news
NCRPO
Eastern Police District
police
journalists
media safety
JP Soriano
Percy Lapid
media
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT