The Commission on Human Rights is conducting a separate probe into a recent attack against a local journalist in San Pablo City, Laguna.
According to the police report, Marc Angelo Barrios, a reporter for Laguna Patrol, was riding a motorcycle on his way home to Barangay San Gregorio, San Pablo City, on July 15 when two suspects riding another motorcycle fired at him near the gate of a local subdivision.
Barrios was reported unhurt, and only his motorcycle was damaged.
Earlier, Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) executive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez questioned why the police report deemed the incident a “threat and malicious mischief” despite at least seven shots fired at Barrios.
“To classify this incident as a simple case of malicious mischief by the local police raises everyone’s eyebrows,” Gutierrez said, as he called for a deeper investigation into the incident.
“As part of our undertaking and commitment to foster a society where all media workers can exercise their profession free from violence, intimidation, and harassment, the CHR has launched its independent investigation on this matter to determine the truth behind the incident,” the CHR said in a statement on Saturday.
It added that attacks made against media workers are attacks against freedom of expression and access to truth.
“We remain firm in our stance that committing any acts of violence against journalists who take on the responsibility of delivering truthful information to the public is contrary to the enrichment of a democratic society. May this incident serve as a reminder to all duty-bearers to ensure that a safe environment is accessible to all Filipinos as they report about the truth,” it said.
“Freedom of the press is a mark of a healthy and functioning state. The CHR will always stand for the rights of all media workers in promoting a society where truth is central in our democracy and that they are able to freely practice their duty free from any intimidation, harm, and violence,” it added.— Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
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