The Commission on Human Rights strongly condemns the unnecessary force exhibited by the Philippine National Police (PNP) during Traslacion on Thursday, January 9. The incidents in question are that of a police officer strangling a devotee of the Black Nazarene, and the subsequent treatment of GMA reporter Jun Veneracion. The use of excessive force was unnecessary, and the latter can be considered suppression of the freedom of the press.

While covering the procession, a police officer and a devotee of the Black Nazarene started tussling along Ayala Bridge. Veneracion was recording the incident when a police general snatched his phone from him; it was then that Veneracion was restrained by other police to keep him from retrieving his phone. When Veneracion’s phone was given back, the video he was taking had been deleted. When confronted by Veneracion, the police official denied doing such a thing. However, the police general’s voice was captured on the restored video, and he’s heard ordering his subordinates to delete the video.

Translacion is a public event, where police are assigned to protect the people and to deescalate situations that could lead to violence; over a million Filipinos join this monumental event with the expectation that they were taken care of. The Filipino people deserve to be made aware of incidents that prove otherwise. The media has a responsibility to inform the public. Active threats and suppression of the press are not actions indicative of a healthy police force, and this type of behavior must be nipped at the bud.

As a duty bearer and upholder of human rights for all, the PNP must make sure it’s officials and rank and file officers do not abuse their power and treat the Filipino people with the respect they deserve. CHR urges the PNP to investigate this situation, to ensure this type of treatment is not widespread among law enforcement.###