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Police should not snatch phones


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he was dismayed by the incident where a police officer grabbed the phone of a TV reporter during the Traslacion or Feast of the Black Nazarene procession on Thursday.

Año said snatching phones is unbecoming of a policeman.

He should not have done that kahit na hindi ‘yan si Jun Veneracion (GMA Network reporter), kahit ordinaryong tao lang ‘yan. Hindi pwede na basta kukunin ang cellphone,” he told reporters on Friday. “Hindi ‘yan kasama sa dapat gawin ng isang police officer.”

[Translation: He should not have done that even if it was not Jun Veneracion, even if it was an ordinary person. You cannot just get someone’s phone. That is not part of the duty of a police officer.]

Veneracion posted a video which drew reactions online, showing police officers subduing devotees during the procession. The video later turned black and a voice can be heard mentioning Veneracion’s name and instructing someone to delete the video on his phone. Veneracion said his phone was still recording when a policeman suddenly took it from his hands. He then was able to recover the video the officer allegedly deleted.

Año said he had spoken to Veneracion saying he is welcome to press charges against the police official, who was later identified as Southern Police District Direcor PBGen Nolasco Bathan. He added that he had also instructed officials to investigate the matter and vowed to impose appropriate sanctions.

Bathan has since apologized, explaining that he initially thought Veneracion was a “threat”. However, he denied deleting the video.

Philippine National Police Spokesperson Bernard Banac said they are still waiting for an explanation from the Metro Manila police, but assured that they respect the rights of journalists to cover the news.

Metro Manila acting police chief PBGen Debold Sinas said he has also ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Services to investigate the incident.

READ: Police official sorry for seizing TV reporter’s cellphone, denies ordering to delete video





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