Even Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has apologized following the controversial visit of the police to the homes of some journalists in Metro Manila recently to find out if they have received any threats to their lives.
“While the move is coming from good faith… it created panic. If it created panic, pasensya na. Hindi na mauulit ito,” said Abalos. “Pasensya na po kung nagkaroon ng undue fear sa baba,” he added.
The secretary’s move follows the Eastern Police District (EPD) leadership also apologizing after journalists who were visited by the police in their respective homes opposed due to the violation of their privacy.
The house of ABS-CBN reporter Adrian Ayalin was among those visited by the police in Marikina.
It was reported that Ayalin was not there when the police went to his house.
He said the police were looking for him and asking for his contact details.
“Okay naman ‘yung pagbisita ng mga pulis kasi part naman talaga ng trabaho nila ‘yun na protektahan hindi lang ang media pero kung hindi lahat ng mamamayan,” said Ayalin.
Abalos also apologized for house-to-house visit to journalists
“Yung nakakabahala lang kasi biglaan… ‘Yung mga pamilya natin sa bahay natin, nag-aalala sila kapag may pulis na dumating,” he added.
Commentator David Oro did not survive a similar incident.
Oro said the police went to his house twice – first, the police were all in uniform, and the second time, they were in civilian clothes.
“Yung bagay na ‘yun ay ina-appreciate ko pero para sa akin medyo nagulantang ako, nagulat ako. After 2 days lamang ay may pumunta na naman sa akin na hindi naka-uniform na 2 pulis at ang dala-dala ay hindi rin marked vehicle,” said Oro.
“Ang hindi maganda doon, hindi man lang nag-iwan ng pangalan o contact number man lang para sana ay makatawag ako,” he added.
GMA reporter JP Soriano was also disappointed when a self-identified policeman also visited him at his home in Marikina this Saturday.
Because of this, Abalos plans to meet with media organizations and their company so that the incident does not happen again.
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