Cop drags, cuffs radio reporter in Marikina

A radio reporter was dragged and handcuffed by a cop inside a Marikina police station, allegedly for looking at the station's blotter without permission, a report from GMA's “24 Oras” by Steve Dailisan said Tuesday.

In the report, dzRH radio reporter Edmar Estabillo claimed that SPO2 Manuel Layson used excessive force on him even though he was only checking the blotter to gather news items he could report.

“Hinila na ako, tinulak ako doon sa investigation [room]. Sabi ko sir sandali kukunin ko 'yung cellphone na nasa mobile,” he said.

“Ginawa niya hinatak-hatak niya ako, binalya niya ako, sinakal, pinosasan and pilit niya inaagaw 'yung cellphone,” he added.

But Layson said Estabillo displayed arrogant behavior when he was asked to identify himself.

“Dapat may ID kayo sir para hindi kayo nahaharang. [Sabi niya] bakit ako mag-a-ID sa 'yo, hindi ako nag-a-ID. Tapos dinuduro niya ako,” said the cop.

“Kinukunan ko siya ng details binivideo niya ako. Kinonfiscate ko 'yung [cellphone niya]. Nagkaroon kami ng konting pambuno, kinuha ko ['yung cellphone]. Nilagay ko naman sa harap niya,” he added.

Meanwhile, another radio reporter, Silvestre Labay of dzXL, said he has had a similar experience with Layson.

“Lumapit 'yan galit na galit. Bakit daw nakikialam ako. Siyempre titignan 'yung blotter. [Sabi niya] parang bahay daw na dapat 'pag walang tao 'wag pumasok. Sabi ko ibang sitwasiyon naman ito police ito, public record ito dapat buklatin 'yung blotter,” he said.

The National Press Club of the Philippines, for its part, questioned Layson's use of excessive force.

“Hindi ho ba overkill 'yung nangyari at kailangan posasan? Nananakit po ba 'yung ating media man? Ito po ba ay nang gugulo, nagwawala? Hindi naman po siguro,” NPCP President Benny Antiporda said.

Layson has already filed unjust vexation, direct assault and simple disobedience cases against Estabillo. Estabillo, meanwhile, is also planning to file a physical injuries charge.

The Eastern Police District is preparing a relief order against Layson. —Andrei Medina/JST, GMA News