UNDERVIEW

MIKE GUIMBATAN JR
Nowhere to turn to for media in distress

When people get oppressed by public officials, they run to the media, but when a media personnel gets oppressed, they have to fend for themselves.

The mass media is often the last recourse to find justice. They are seen as fulfilling the vitally important role of the Fourth Estate being the guardians of democracy and defenders of the public interest. Unfortunately, they could hardly defend their own rights when under siege.
Cesar Reyes, a silent bespectacled photojournalist in his near 50’s found himself helpless at the hands of some Baguio taxi drivers and police. Reyes had to sleep at the city jail over the weekend because of a simple traffic accident.

Last Thursday evening, Reyes with his Lite Ace van parked along Luisa’s café was about to move forward to the main road when he slightly bumped the side of a mobile taxi. At that time, the whole stretch from Mercury Drug up Session Road was occupied by a long line of double parked taxicabs.

The driver of taxi “Edrin & Dave”, Jaime Caccam, alit from the taxi and confronted Reyes while calling for other drivers including taxi operator Carlos Abrigo. Around four men confronted and verbally abused Reyes. He was pushed until the side of PNB building forcing the photojournalist to draw his gun to ward off the four drivers.

When police came, Reyes following normal procedures gave his gun, license and permit to carry then settled to pay P2,000 for the slight dent of the taxi. He thought he will go home to his family but it did not stop there.

He was brought to the police outpost atop Sssion Rad. Accordingly for a long time, complainant Abrigo had a lengthy closed door talk with the outpost commander. The following day, Friday, he was moved to precinct 7 then back and fourth until he was told that a case has been filed for grave threats and illegal possession of firearms.

Because could not post bail since there was no office hour, he was made to sleep at the City Jail the same way as ordinary criminals until he posted bail Monday for grave threats because his gun license proved genuine.

The facts clearly show no abuse in media privilege if ever there is one. Besides, the victim of harassment is a silent and peaceful person. Be it harassment or plain stupidity by police handlers, the manner how the case was handled and how a mediaman was treated despite introducing himself as a public person is something that local Baguio journalists can not stomach.

It has affected the good public service relations of the local police and media personalities here because of the simple idea that if this could happen to a newsman, them how much more to an ordinary citizens?

It was good the Baguio Correspondents and Braadcaster’s Club and the BCPO Press Club showed support to Reyes as a journalist even if he is not yet formally inducted to the Club. Reyes is a photographer of national tabloid People’s Tonight. He followed his family in Baguio.

Several lawyers manifested support including Human Rights lawyer Rene Cortez and media friend lawyer Edgar Avila. Councilor Richard Carino representing Reyes pro bono said charges will be filed against the arresting officers. The lawyers said Reyes was detained more than 18 hours without a formal charge and was framed up with charges.

I do not know also the values of this taxi operator who received the P2,000 settlement money but still pursued the case of grave threats to the person they harassed. But we still leave the benefit of the doubt for Police Community relations officer Viyo Hidalgo , City Director Wilfredo Franco, and PRO-Cor Regional Director Eugene Martin. Perhaps some of their men involved in the case are not telling the whole truth.