ABS-CBN news team harassed in Batangas

BATANGAS, Philippines – A female television reporter and her cameraman filed a formal police complaint against a town mayor here after they were allegedly verbally harassed while covering a disaster preparation in connection with Taal volcano’s seismic activity Wednesday.

According to Joan Panopio, reporter of ABS-CBN TV-Patrol Southern Tagalog, they were about to cover the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) meeting when Talisay town Mayor Florencio Manimtim arrived at the municipal hall’s conference room and shouted invectives at them.

Panopio said she was astounded when Manimtim shouted at her cameraman Jay Echano with “putang-ina nyo binabalusabas nyo ako! Tanggalin mo ang camera mo kung hindi ihahampas ko sayo yan!” (. . . you’re bastarding me. Remove your camera, or if not, I’ll . . .).

After berating Echano, Manimtim subsequently confronted Panopio and said -“umalis na kayo dito, hindi kayo welcome dito” before slamming the conference door and shutting down the window blinds.

The commotion was witnessed by representatives of the Philippine CoastGuard, Philippine National Police and other MDCC officials, Panopio said. 

“Tumutupad lang naman kami sa aming trabaho para maiparating sa mga tao kung ano ang mga dapat nilang gawin kung sakaling sumabog ang bulkang Taal, pero sa di malamang dahilan, pinigilan naman kami ni Mayor,” Panopio said.

Panopio said they have experienced a similar situation twice when Manimtim shooed them away when they tried to get his statement in the just concluded alleged election anomalies in Talisay.

The Star tried to get Manimtim’s side but failed. 

Instead, Talisay administrator and councilor-elect Eddie Panghulan spoke in behalf of Manimtim saying, the mayor confirmed to him that the commotion did happen but refused to elaborate.

Panghulan said – “inamin naman sa akin ni Mayor ang nagawang marahas na pakikiharap nito sa ABS-CBN dahil na rin anya sa sama ng loob nito sa nagawang balita noon ng naturang network kaugnay sa planong pagtatayo ng spa sa may bunganga ng Taal volcano ng isang Korean company.”

During the time of former Batangas governor Armand Sanchez and his political arch enemy, Vice Gov. Richard Recto, both strongly opposed the plan of a Korean company to put up the P72 million spa near the crater of Taal Volcano in Talisay, Batangas.