NUJP condemns PNP’s ‘Gestapo-like’ background check on new journos

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Thursday condemned the Philippine National Police's (PNP) way of conducting a background check on journalists who are newly assigned to cover the police organization.

"The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is outraged by the Gestapo-like methods the Philippine National Police utilized to verify the identities of journalists newly assigned to cover the organization," the NUJP said in a statement.

"While we welcome the assurance of PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao that they have put a stop to the heavy-handed vetting done by agents of what he now acknowledges is the Directorate for Intelligence, we reject his contention that 'we have no other way to verify' the identities of reporters fresh to the beat," the group added.

NUJP slams PNP’s ‘Gestapo-like’ background checks on journos @pnppio pic.twitter.com/XMwH1EttYH

— NUJP (@nujp) February 8, 2018

Gestapo, who was known for its brutal methods and operations, was the official secret police of Germany during the Nazi regime.

Bulalacao on Wednesday admitted that conducting background check on new reporters who are assigned to cover the agency has been a regular process. This was contrary to PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa's previous statement that there is no effort to conduct checks on reporters.

“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,” Bulalacao said.

“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.

According to the NUJP, the policemen's supposed actions of tracking reporters such as calling journalists without disclosing their identities and visiting their homes and neighborhood will only cause fear.

The NUJP pointed out that having a simple phone call or letter to the editors or the management of news organizations must be enough to establish reporters’ bonafides.

"As it has, indeed, been the norm for generations of journalists covering the police beat.
Surely, one does not need police spies to handle this routine task? Unless, of course, there is a more sinister explanation for this?" the NUJP said.

The group stressed that the right of journalists to privacy, communication and free movement are all violated due to policemen's checking of new reporters.

"The media deserve a more forthright accounting of how and why this fiasco ever came to be, plus an unequivocal pledge to never, ever again resort to such underhanded tactics against journalists," the NUJP said.

"We demand not only an apology but full disclosure of data collected about us," it added. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News