Journos cry foul

By Froilan Gallardo
Special Correspondent

A major press organization here has called on top officials of the Philippine National Police to reprimand those responsible for posting a publicity material accusing supporters of ABS-CBN as communists or terrorists.

Cagayan de Oro Press Club President Dr. Manuel Jaudian sent an email to PNP Chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa and PNP Northern Mindanao Director-General Rolando Anduyan to investigate the publicity material published by its Malaybalay City police station.

“The recently released electronic poster reportedly from the Malaybalay City Police Station is not only irresponsible but legally flawed,” Jaudian said in a statement.

The 15-man board of directors of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club approved the demand letter in a meeting Friday afternoon.

“Our PNP personnel who are supposed to protect media and those who exercise their rights enshrined in our Constitution should not join in this terror brouhaha lest they are accused of ignorance of the basic law,” the statement reads in part.

The Malaybalay Police Station in a publicity post that first appeared in the Viber group of the PNP-10 media group alluded that those who support the cause of ABS-CBN and campaigned for press freedom are allegedly communists or terrorists.

The post came the morning before Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect last Friday midnight.

The PNP-10 regional command took down the post Friday morning as flak came from journalists who complained that the publicity material was “insensitive” to the reporters, cameramen, and employees of ABS-CBN who have just been given termination papers.

Alagar spokesman Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa issued an apology and pointed to a police corporal as the person who uploaded the controversial infographic.

Hortillosa said they are also investigating the PNP socmed unit why the infographic was published on Facebook and posted in the Viber group.

“We extend our sincere apology to ABS-CBN about the said post. Malaybalay CPS is directed to explain regarding this matter,” Hortillosa said.

“This action of our personnel will be investigated and we will let them explain what’s their main message of the said post,” he added.

Suporta sa Kapamilya, a Mindanao-based organization composed of 155 journalists and media workers also condemned the PNP Malaybalay City police station.

“Red-tagging does not serve and protect civilians but instead endanger(s) them and their families. It would do well for Northern Mindanao police to review the 1987 Constitution. Practicing our right to free speech is neither an act of rebellion nor terrorism,” the group said in a statement.