GORGY RULA
Kinondena ng mga taga-media ang ginawa ng isa sa district commanders ng National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) na si Brigadier General Nolasco Bathan habang nagku-cover ang GMA News reporter na si Jun Veneracion sa naganap sa Traslacion 2020 sa Maynila nitong Enero 9, Huwebes.
Isa sa nag-repost sa Instagram ay si Ka Tunying Taberna kung saan pinuna nito ang ginawa ni Bathan, at pinuri si Jun.
Kinunan kasi ni Jun ang mainit na tagpo sa may Ayala Bridge kung saan nagkaroon ng tulakan sa mga pulis at devotees ng Poong Nazareno.
Inilayo ng mga pulis si Jun at kinuha ang cellphone nito para hindi na makunan ang mainit na tagpong iyon sa Ayala Bridge.
Pero sa tulong ng ilang kasamahan sa trabaho, itinuro kay Jun na itong si Bathan ang kumuha ng kanyang cellphone.
Isinoli rin ang cellphone ni Jun, at nag-sorry sa kanya si Bathan nang nalamang taga-media ito.
Nang nakita ni Jun sa photo gallery na burado na ang video, kinumpronta niya si Gen. Bathan.
Itinanggi ni Gen. Bathan na binura ang video at ginamit pa ang Poong Nazareno para manumpang hindi raw nila ito ginawa.
Mabuti na lang at na-retrieve pa ni Jun ang video na yun sa 'recently deleted photo album' feature ng kanyang cellphone.
Humingi ng paumanhin si Bathan kay Jun Veneracion.
At nitong Enero 10, Biyernes, naglabas ang PNP Press Corps ng statement kaugnay ng insidenteng ito.
Narito ang kabuuan ng pahayag:
"The PNP Press Corps expresses serious concern on the behavior displayed by Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan against GMA 7 Reporter Jun Venaracion during the Black Nazarene Procession coverage on Thursday in Manila.
"General Bathan's action of grabbing the cellular phone of Jun Veneracion and allegedly ordering one of his men to delete the video of the confrontation between policemen and devotees are not only an attack on press freedom but also trample on the rights of Mr. Veneracion as a civilian and a citizen of the country -- both press freedom and basic rights of citizens are enshrined in the Constitution that the government, which General Bathan represents, vows to uphold and protect.
"We understand the stress and pressure brought by the long preparation and the situation on the ground during the incident, but General Bathan's thug-like attitude in front of his men is plain and simple conduct unbecoming of a PNP member, of a police general.
"Undeniably, journalists have been the PNP's partner in disseminating information on the regular progress of the security preparations for the Black Nazarene procession.
"They do not deserve to be treated that way for doing their job.
"On the other hand, the PNP Press Corps appreciates the action of the PNP leadership headed PNP-OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa to order an investigation on the incident.
"We likewise express our appreciation to General Bathan for being man enough to acknowledge his mistake and apologize to Mr. Veneracion.
"The history of the PNP includes mutual respect and understanding of the police and the press, as both have long recognized that they have an obligation to do for the Filipino people.
"There must not be misunderstanding and quarrel on that."
JERRY OLEA
Ano kayang aksyon ang maaaring ipataw kay Gen. Bathan matapos ang imbestigasyon?
Humingi na si Gen. Bathan ng paumanhin sa kanyang inasal. Hindi pa ba sapat iyon?
Nawa’y kapulutan ng aral ng mga kinauukulan ang pangyayaring ito.
NOEL FERRER
Maganda ring abangan ang magandang aksyon ng GMA News and Public Affairs. Media at Militar.
Maganda ring subaybayan ang opinyon ng taumbayan.