THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) slammed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for denying the “harassment” of photojournalists covering protests during the Asean Summit on Wednesday.
The country’s oldest media organization said Nartatez’s statement was premature, biased and damaging to the credibility of the PNP’s own probe.
The Manila Times chief of photographers Rene Dilan and veteran photojournalist Bullit Marquez were blocked by police from taking photos of a violent dispersal of protesters.
“It sends the dangerous message that the verdict has already been handed down before investigators have even finished examining the evidence,” the NPC said in a statement on Thursday.
The group rejected Nartatez’s claim that the photographers were “with the protesters,” saying such a characterization blurs the line between journalists and demonstrators.
It said the photographers “were covering the protest — not joining it,”
The NPC warned that such thinking could encourage police on the ground to treat members of the media as rally participants, exposing them to arrest, intimidation or harassment.
“If journalists are viewed as protesters simply because they are covering a demonstration, press freedom is placed in serious danger,” it said.
While it supports the PNP’s duty to maintain peace and order, the NPC said law enforcement must equally respect the independence of the media and the distinction between reporters and protesters.
The NPC called on the PNP to allow the investigation of the incident to run its course without interference, refrain from statements that could influence its outcome and reaffirm its commitment to protecting journalists carrying out their lawful professional duties.
“A free press is not the enemy of public order,” the NPC said. “It is one of democracy’s strongest pillars — and any action or statement that weakens it must be condemned.”
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also called on the PNP to stop harassing journalists and protesters during rallies.
The NUJP said it was not the first time the PNP deliberately attacked journalists covering an event. On Sept. 21, 2025, police tried to confiscate cameras and blocked the view of journalists covering the dispersal of anti-corruption protesters.
“It is apparent that members of the PNP violate its own rules in dealing with members of the media. The last time we checked, the PNP has pledged to implement the UN-initiated Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, which includes ensuring protection of journalists,” the NUJP said.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the incident was “utterly unacceptable” and called for the passage of the proposed Journalists’ Welfare and Protection Act, which seeks to establish a framework for safeguarding the rights and welfare of journalists and media workers.
