Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — The move to delete footage taken during the Traslacion of a scuffle between police officers and devotees from a reporter’s phone was an “assault” on press freedom, a journalist group said Friday.
“The attempt to delete the video was definitely an attempt to wipe out reportage. That definitely was an assault on press freedom,” said Nonoy Espina, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairperson.
Espina was referring to a video posted by GMA Network reporter Jun Veneracion. The reporter said he had retrieved the video after a police officer snatched his phone from his hands during the procession on Thursday. In the video, a male voice can be heard instructing someone to delete the video on Veneracion’s phone.
Espina said the police officer who seized the device — later identified as Southern Police District Director PBGen Nolasco Bathan — should at least face administrative charges. However, when asked if the NUJP will file a complaint, he said they will leave the matter to the police.
Bathan has since apologized but denied that he deleted any video. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered an investigation on the incident.
READ: Police official sorry for seizing TV reporter’s cellphone, denies ordering to delete video
