“Any act by law enforcement that prevents members of the press from documenting public assemblies undermines press freedom.”
CAGAYAN DE ORO — Several media organizations denounced the police harassment of photojournalists and an activist during a public demonstration in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 22.
In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said members of the Southern Police District allegedly arrested environmental activist and Bulatlat contributor Jian Sanz while taking photos during a mobilization in connection with the visit of United States State Secretary Marco Rubio in the country for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Sanz said that the police prevented three women who were part of a paralegal team from entering the police station. However, lawyer Maria Sol Taule of the human rights alliance Karapatan came to her aid. Sanz was released after being detained for about 40 minutes.
Videos that circulated online, on the other hand, showed that the police tried but failed to arrest photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan.
Police personnel attempt to arrest photojournalist Bullit Marquez during the protest action in connection with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City on July 22, 2026. Screengrab from DZRH video report
In an interview with DZRH News, Marquez said that he was prevented from taking photographs when the police attempted to arrest a protester, causing him to utter a cursed word. This led the police, Marquez said, to hold him. His camera fell to the ground as he resisted the attempt to arrest him.
NUJP reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) of its role in ensuring the safety of media workers, as a stakeholder when the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ) was launched in 2019.
In April 2025, the PNP, in partnership with other government agencies, launched the PNP Media Security Vanguards program to enhance the safety and security of media practitioners.
“It is apparent that members of the PNP violate its own rules in dealing with members of the media,” NUJP said. “Unfortunately, today’s incident shows that elements of the PNP are themselves the perpetrators of attacks.”
The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP) condemned the harassment and intimidation, calling on the authorities to conduct an investigation and hold the responsible accountable. “Any act by law enforcement that prevents members of the press from documenting public assemblies undermines press freedom, the public’s right to information, and the principles of transparency and accountability.”
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and Press Photographers in the Philippines (PPP) also expressed their grave concerns about what happened.
According to The Philippine Star report, Pasay police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto called the attempted arrest of two photojournalists an “honest mistake,” as the police thought they were protesters.
PCP, however, said that Marquez was wearing his press credentials during the coverage.
For NUJP, the incident showed proof that the police do not understand the media’s role. “Why prevent journalists from covering a public interest event? Whose interest do you serve?” (DAA)
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