‘Speed up probe on media harassment’

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday urged city prosecutors to expedite the investigation on the three henchmen of a barangay official in Quiapo who harassed and threatened journalists covering a press conference at the Golden Mosque last April 12 so that the case could be elevated to the proper court.

In a report to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Western Police District (WPD) Director Pedro Bulaong updated the mayor on the status of the case.

Atienza earlier gave specific instructions to Bulaong to pursue the case without let up in order to serve as a signal that there can be no compromise on the safety of journalists in Manila.

The case stemmed from an altercation between a group of television and radio news crews and a group of armed men associated with Barangay Chairwoman Norhaina Lucman and, her husband, retired Col. Macacuna Lucman.

At gunpoint, the gunmen shoved the journalists out of the mosque where they were covering a press conference upon the invitation of National Muslim Peace and Order Council (NMPOC) chairman Datu Amerol Gulam-Ambiong.

In ordering a relentless pursuit of the case against those who harassed and threatened the journalists, Atienza stressed the city government’s commitment to guarantee that journalists can practice their profession free from harassment and any physical threats.

"We in Manila are committed to reverse the trend of senseless killings of journalists in the country," the mayor had said.

Police earlier filed charges against Hadji Ali Lucman, Weng Macabato and Hadji Malik Lukman, whom journalists identified as those who indiscriminately fired warning shots before driving them away. The three suspects were presented by Bulaong to the mayor in a confrontation with the journalist-victims two days after the incident. The case is now being reviewed by Fiscal Renato Gonzaga.

A separate inquiry was conducted by a city hall committee chaired by Secretary to the Mayor Emmanuel Sison who endorsed the suspension of the barangay chairwoman for failing to protect the journalists in the exercise of their profession in her jurisdiction.

Atienza said the 60-day suspension against Lucman still stands despite the latter issuing an apology to media yesterday.

"We appreciate the apology sought by the chairwoman. It shows her maturity, but the administrative and criminal case still stand. We cannot just terminate the cases," he said. – With Evelyn Macairan