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PNP admits background check on new journos covering Crame, vows to change process


The Philippine National Police on Wednesday admitted conducting a background check on journalists newly assigned to cover the organization, contrary to a statement made earlier by PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

PNP spokeperson and PIO head Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said that checking on new faces covering the police organization was a regular process.

“Iyong verification para sa accreditation natin is a normal and regular process. Mandate kasi ng PIO na mag-accredit ng media representatives so kung sino papadala nila dito. Once mag-accredit tayo, it will pass through the vetting process, I mean verification lang kung talagang ‘yung pinapadala na tao na nagpunta sa amin for accreditation talagang galing dun sa media outfit na ‘yun,” he told members of the PNP Press Corps who sought clarification.

“Kailangang i-verify natin ‘yung mga nagpapa-accredit na bagong reporters and we have no other way to verify kundi sa (Directorate for) Intelligence,” he added.

He said the checking of new reporters was ordered by former PNP spokesperson and present Aviation Security Group director Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos.

However, he promised to change the process being used in verifying the legitimacy of persons seeking accreditation to cover the PNP.

This was after five new reporters covering the PNP complained that police personnel are tracking them, some going to their offices, others going to their houses, and calling their phones to ask about their personal circumstances.

Roy Narra of the Manila Times, who has been covering the PNP for only two months, said in January 2018, a man claiming to be a police officer but refused to give his name called him to ask if they can meet regarding his accreditation.

Amos Manalastas of Light Network said police officers went to their office and asked for his home address.

The same thing happened to Rose Anne dela Cruz of Global News Network. She said the police officers in civilian clothes, who claimed being from the intelligence unit, asked her office about her.

Pathricia Ann Roxas, reporter from Inquirer.net, also said that police officers went to their barangay and inquired about her.

Police officers also went to the office of Inquirer Radyo to inquire about the reporter they had assigned to cover Camp Crame.

Bulalacao admitted that he was alarmed when his friends told him how the police officers were conducting the verification.

“Naalarma ako kahapon n’ung tinawagan ako,” he said.

He said the intelligence officers have a template when conducting background investigation but it should not be used on reporters.

“‘Yun kasing intel natin may sariling template for background investigation and that template ‘yun din pala ang nagamit sa mga kasamahan natin. Acceptable na alarming on your part dahil sa tingin n’yo kayo ay binabantayan pero hindi ‘yun ang purpose,” he said.

He said they decided to just call the offices of the news organizations to check the legitimacy of the reporters.

“Naisip namin na baguhin na lang natin ang process. Anyway, hindi naman masyado tedious dapat ang verification kapag may natanggap kami na endorsement, puwede niyang tawagan ‘yung nagpadala ng endorsement kung sino signatory for verification process or susulat officially sa outfit na ‘yun,” he said. — MDM, GMA News

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