Journalists allege manhandling by US envoy’s escorts and military hospital guards

CMFR/Philippines – Journalists covering the turnover of donations by the US Embassy to a military hospital in Quezon City said they were manhandled by the envoy’s escorts and by hospital guards.

According to a March 30 report by InterAksyon, the journalists were approaching Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. for an interview when his security escorts and the guards of the V. Luna Medical Center, a military hospital, pushed them aside and stopped them from taking video footage.

Cameraman Benje Judan of TV5 told InterAksyon that some security escorts tried to cover the lens of his video camera as his colleague was trying to interview Thomas. Eddie Mendoza, TV5’s assistant cameraman was allegedly also struck on the neck.

Members of the Defense Press Corps (DPC) said that Thomas’ escorts grabbed the chest of a female reporter interviewing Thomas.

DPC president and Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Dona Pazzibugan-Porcalla told InterAksyon that the group found no reason for the manhandling as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has authority over the hospital, and the US Embassy had granted them permission to cover the event and interview the US Ambassador to the Philippines.

Lieutenant Commander and AFP spokesperson Lt. Commander Jerome Rommel Ochoco, apologized for the incident and promised action to prevent similar incidents.

On March 31, the DPC wrote to Thomas expressing concern over the harassment.

“Your aides were rude and physically threatening. While we understand that your escorts were merely performing their duties, some of their actions were absolutely unnecessary. We hope that our next encounter will not be as stressful.” said the DPC.

Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said in a statement that “The US ambassador’s security team performed its prime function for the security of all. They respect the importance of an open and free media and they know that members of the media equally respect the importance of personal security for all.”

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