Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 16) — Two policemen in Leyte have been relieved of their duties for allegedly harassing three local journalists last Friday morning, the Leyte Police Provincial Office said Saturday night.
In a statement, the Leyte police said its officer-in-charge PLtCol Ricky Reli reassigned Police Staff Sergeant Rhea May Baleos and her husband Police Staff Sergeant Ver Baleos to the provincial headquarters. The former was designated in Sta. Fe town and the latter in Pastrana town.
The couple also turned over their firearms to be examined for gunpowder residue, the Leyte police added.
They allegedly harassed and threatened with gunshots Lito Bagunas, Noel Sianosa, and Ted Tomas of San Juanico TV who were covering a land dispute in Barangay Jones in Pastrana, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) said.
READ: 3 journalists harassed by police in Leyte – NUJP
\”Initial investigation disclosed that the incident stemmed from a land dispute between Mr. Moises Empillo and Anecita Nogal with her husband, Mr Virgilio Nogal. Mr. Empillo claimed to be the owner of the rice field located at the said place, while Mr. and Mrs. Nogal also claimed to be the rightful owner of it,\” the Leyte police said.
“The said rice field was mortgaged to PSSg Baleos in the year 2017. During the dispute, PSSg Baleos called the Pastrana MPS for assistance,” it added.
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