PNP Chief welcomes CHR’s resolution saying that the police illegally arrested media personnel during the Manila Pen Siege

Miami
September 2, 2008
Story: PNP Chief welcomes CHR’s resolution saying that the police illegally arrested media personnel during the Manila Pen Siege


Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon said he welcomes the findings of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on saying that the police personnel who responded during the Manila Peninsula siege illegally arrests the media who are only covering the incident.

Razon said, “We respect that (decision). As far as we are concerned, we will only wait for what the court will say on that. The case is on the court and it is up to them.”

He also added that the CHR is not the proper venue to talk about what happened between police personnel and media during the Manila Pen Siege last November 29, 2007.

Last September 1, the CHR released their resolution stating, “The responsibilities of the PNP and the AFP to respect and safeguard the fundamental freedoms of the press do not leave the members of media completely free of their own responsibilities.”

The PNP also said that they are just waiting for the time for them to air their side on the court to explain why did they “invited” the media for questioning.

It can be recalled that during the siege, the PNP invited the media for questioning and being hand cuffed by the police while being brought from Makati to Camp Bagong Diwa (National Capital region Police Office Headquarters) in Taguig. The PNP also made statement before that the media might be considered suspect on the incident.