Forcing media staff to sign as drug raid witnesses deplored
THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has urged law enforcement agencies to refrain from coercing media personnel into signing inventories during anti-drug operations.
The statement was issued after reporters covering a buy-bust operation had a disagreement with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.
The incident occurred when journalists were asked to sign the inventory form for illegal substances seized from two Chinese nationals as part of a buy-bust conducted by NBI agents.
However, the reporters refused, stating they had only arrived after the operation, prompting an NBI agent to allegedly hurl insults at them.
Reportedly, an NBI agent pointed a finger at dzBB reporter Roland Bola. A television reporter was also called “bakla” allegedly by one of the agents.
The NUJP stated that although the Dangerous Drugs Act requires inventory and documentation of suspected narcotics seized during operations, law enforcement personnel should not force media workers to act as witnesses and sign inventories.
The group has maintained since 2018 that the law should be amended to remove media personnel as official witnesses in drug operations, as this puts them at risk of retaliation from drug suspects and contempt of court if they fail to attend hearings if the case goes to trial.
The NUJP reminded the media community that it is their duty to report on these operations, but the burden of ensuring due process and compliance with the law rests with the authorities.
The NBI issued an apology to members of the media over the incident and stated that they are investigating the matter to ensure such behavior does not occur again.
For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla assured the media community that he would look into the reported confrontation, stating the allegations were “very disturbing.”
