The KBP issued a statement last March 20 condemning the assault of journalists who covered the violent house demolitions carried out by unidentified armed men in Sitio Bakubad, Barangay Anunas, Angeles City, Pampanga, last March 12. Five people were reported injured in the incident, including two from gunshot wounds.
According to a report by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), one of the men pointed his gun at Rowena Quejada, a news anchor and field reporter of 88.7 K5 News FM in Olongapo City. Quejada, according to the report, also said that the armed men confiscated her personal belongings, including her cell phone. Another reporter, Joann Manabat of Rappler, was also threatened by the armed men. The PTFOMS report said that earlier news reports have linked the demolition group with Clarkhills Property Corporation, a land developer.
In its statement, the KBP called on law enforcement authorities and other appropriate agencies to conduct a swift and thorough investigation of the attack. The statement said that KBP members will pool their resources “to assist in any way possible in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
The statement was signed by KBP president Noel C. Galvez.