ANGELES CITY – The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) in Olongapo City denounced yesterday Olongapo’s police chief after he allegedly harassed and harmed Pilipino Star Ngayon correspondent Randy Datu.
A statement signed by NUJP-Olongapo members headed by Ansbert Joa-quin of Interaksyon.com said Datu was harassed by Senior Superintendent Christopher Tambungan during a hostage taking incident in Arthur St. in Olongapo last week.
The NUJP cited Datu as saying that during the coverage, a policeman asked media personnel to help initiate communication with the hostage taker.
“Obliging the policeman who requested for assistance, Datu and other journalist entered the compound where the hostage taking was going on,” the NUJP said.
Datu said Tambungan singled him out among all the reporters who went to the compound by blurting out, “Hoy, ikaw! Anong pangalan mo? (Hey you. What is your name?)”
Datu said he was surprised by Tambungan’s question, claiming they knew each other.
He said he nevertheless introduced himself again politely to the police chief who, he claimed, angrily demanded explanation for his presence in the compound.
Datu said that despite telling Tambungan that he was covering the hostage incident, the police chief ordered him to leave.
“Hindi ka kailangan dito. Lumabas ka dito,” he quoted Tambungan as telling him.
NUJP said “Tambungan raised his fist as if to punch Datu in the face, but grabbed his shoulder instead and pushed him towards the exit of the premises in full view of other journalists in the area.”
Tambungan allegedly pushed and shoved Datu all the way out of the compound.
Datu also told the NUJP that at the compound’s exit, Tambungan struck him back.
Punto tried several times to contact Tambungan by phone in his Olongapo office, but no one answered the calls.
The NUJP and other media groups based in other parts of Central Luzon called on PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome to investigate the incident and suspend Tambungan to ensure fair investigation.
“In light of Tambungan’s abuse of authority and lack of respect for press freedoms, NUJP-Subic asks PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome to immediately mete out sanctions against Colonel Tambungan for his misconduct.”
The statement said that “at the very least, Tambungan should be suspended from discharging his duties as Olongapo City’s PNP director immediately, to guarantee a fair and impartial investigation of his actions by the PNP hierarchy, while charges are being prepared against him by Datu and various media organizations.”
“His suspension will go a long way to salve the wounds inflicted by Tambungan’s violent behavior, irresponsible actions and blatant violation of press freedoms,” the NUJP said.
It also added that “Tambungan’s abusive behavior cannot go unpunished, or else it will set a negative example for all prospective violators in the PNP to follow.”
