Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Police arrest Jian Sanz, an environmental activist and a contributor to alternative media site Bulatlat, during a protest against the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio near the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. denied reports that police officers harassed photojournalists during a public assembly in Manila on Wednesday, July 22, even as he promised an impartial probe into the incidents.Nartatez said police officers were enforcing security protocols in an area designated as a “No-rally zone” amid activities related to the ASEAN meeting.“There’s no such thing as harassment, nandoon sila sa hanay ng raliyista, pumapalag sila, or whatever,” Nartatez said during an ambush interview in Pasay City on Wednesday evening.(There&#x27;s no such as harassment, they were in the ranks of the protesters, they were resisting or whatever.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/anti-us-protesters-clash-with-police-amid-rubio-visit-2-journalists-nearly-arrested-1323">Anti-US protesters clash with police during Rubio visit; 2 journalists nearly arrested</a></div>Media covering the rally witnessed the incident and some have posted videos of it.<div> </div><div>POLICE TRY TO ARREST PHOTOJOURNALISTS</div>The Photojournalists&#x27; Center of the Philippines, which has condemned what it called harassment and intimidation, said police &quot;confronted&quot; freelance journalist Bullit Marquez and Manila Times photo editor Rene Dilan and prevented them from documenting the arrest of protesters.Police released the two after colleagues protested attempts to arrest them. Marquez&#x27;s camera fell to the ground as police tried to handcuff him, PCP said.&quot;Any act by law enforcement that prevents members of the press from documenting public assemblies undermines press freedom, the public&#x27;s right to information, and the principles of transparency and accountability,&quot; it also said.The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, in a separate statement, said police also arrested and briefly detained Jian Sanz, an environmental activist and a contributor to alternatives news site Bulatlat.&quot;It is apparent that members of the PNP violate its own rules in dealing with members of the media,&quot; it said.The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, where Marquez was a member when he was a staff photographer for the Associated Press, said it is gravely concerned over the reported harassment. &quot;Such actions are unacceptable. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without intimidation, obstruction, or threats,&quot; it said, adding it welcomes the announcement of an investigation.The Presidential Task Force on Media Security has condemned the &quot;act of aggression&quot; against members of the press and said it is coordinating with Marquez and other media workers &quot;to explore possible actions regarding the reported incident.&quot;The National Press Club said it is working with PTFoMS for a dialogue over the incident. The club said it believes &quot;mutual respect and open communication are the keys to a stronger partnership between the media and the PNP.&quot;<div> </div><div>PNP CHIEF: DON&#x27;T CURSE AT COPS</div>Marquez, a veteran photojournalist, had reportedly cursed when police stopped the photojournalists from taking pictures.Nartatez said he would have arrested them too if he had been there.“Huwag silang magmumura. Nagmura ba ang mga police natin? And there’s no such thing as harassment,” he added.(They should not curse. Do our police officers curse?)The PNP chief said police officers were engaging protesters at the time and following a calibrated response during the rally.He also said the area was designated a “No-Rally&quot; zone because the country was hosting ASEAN events attended by foreign delegates.Nartatez said protesters could instead hold demonstrations in designated freedom parks in Manila, including Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Miranda, and Plaza Dilao.Despite Nartatez’s denial, the PNP said it is conducting an impartial and thorough investigation into the incident involving police personnel and members of the media.“The PNP recognizes the important role of journalists and media practitioners in documenting events of public interest and respects their freedom to carry out their work. At the same time, our personnel remain duty-bound to ensure public safety, maintain peace and order, and implement the law,” the PNP said in a statement..&quot;The PNP remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the continuous improvement of its engagement with the media and all stakeholders as we carry out our mandate of serving and protecting the public.&quot;

The Philippine National Police said it is investigating reports of that personnel tried to arrest journalists covering a protest in Manila earlier Wednesday as it said it has reminded officers to "exercise maximum tolerance, professionalism, and restraint in the performance of their duties."

The Philippine National Police said it is investigating reports of that personnel tried to arrest journalists covering a protest in Manila earlier Wednesday as it said it has reminded officers to "exercise maximum tolerance, professionalism, and restraint in the performance of their duties."

PNP chief denies photojournalists were harassed during Manila rally

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PNP chief denies photojournalists were harassed during Manila rally

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 08:55 PM PHT

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Updated July 22, 2026 10:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine National Police

Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

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