PTFoMS condemns Manibela for attacking reporter
THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) strongly denounced the physical attack perpetrated by members of the transport group, ‘MANIBELA” against a member of the press while covering a transport strike staged by the group yesterday in Quezon City.
Undersecretary Paul M. Gutierrez, PTFoMS executive director, said that the physical abuse committed against Val Gonzales, a veteran field reporter from radio station DZRH, cannot earn any public support from the transport group or to the issues they are trying to promote.
Based on Gutierrez’s personal talk with Gonzales and reports to the task force from other members of the press, Gonzales was punched in the waist at least twice by a member of MANIBELA, for no apparent reason, while fielding his report on East Avenue, Quezon City, which they closed to traffic. The resulting traffic jam can be felt all the way to Commonwealth Avenue.
“Mariin natin kinokondena ang karahasan na ito laban saisang kagawad ng media, sa katauhan ni kasamang Val Gonzales, na gumaganap lamang sa kanyang tungkulin sapag-uulat ng mga kaganapan sa ating bansa,” Gutierrez said.
He added that he already coordinated with Quezon City Police District director, P/BGen. Red Maranan, to summon MANIBELA chairman, Mario Valbuena, for the violent acts of his members.
