Nartatez defends cop in media ‘harassment’ case

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. defended the PNP officers accused of harassing two photojournalists during a rally in Pasay against the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.

Nartatez said the police officers involved were attempting to disperse 30 members of progressive groups who were protesting in a no-rally zone.

The demonstrators were attempting to march at the Philippine International Convention Center where the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was being held.

Six people were hurt in the commotion.

“There was a rally. The police had a calibrated response,” Nartatez said.

Videos of the incident showed the police officers trying to arrest photo editors Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan.

Nartatez maintained that the police officers did not harass the photojournalists who were with the protesters.

“There’s no such thing as harassment. They (photojournalists) merged with the protesters,” he said.

Marquez admitted in an interview that he cursed at the police officers during the commotion, after his camera fell and sustained damage.

As for the damaged camera, Nartatez said Marquez could file a complaint at the police station.

While police officers exercise maximum tolerance when facing demonstrators, Nartatez said they do not deserve to be physically attacked or subjected to verbal abuse.

“We are not asking for too much, we are merely asking for respect in recognition of the sacrifices of our men on the ground,” Nartatez said in a statement.