Bulatlat, journ groups condemn police violence vs reporter at DAR protest

MANILA (UPDATED) — Media groups and advocates have condemned the Quezon City police’s use of force against a reporter covering a protest at the Department of Agrarian Reform on Monday, October 19. 

A video posted by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines shows police officers restraining Ernest Cruz, a reporter for the alternative media organization Bulatlat.

He is heard in the video repeatedly identifying himself as media and can be seen showing his media ID.

The incident took place as the police and protesters clashed during a campout at DAR around 5 p.m., due to arguments over where rallyists could stay. 

Bulatlat called on the Commission on Human Rights to conduct an investigation into the incident.

The Quezon City Police District said it is investigating the incident but also said, citing “initial reports” that its officers were only defending themselves.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines stressed that an October 2025 agreement between the National Police Commission and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security prohibits the use of force against media workers.

It also reminded the Philippine National Police and NAPOLCOM of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists which calls on states and institutions to protect journalists so they can work freely and safely.

“We demand that these safeguards be applied in Cruz’s case, that the officers involved be held accountable, and that the PNP ensure journalists can cover protests without fear of violence or obstruction,” NUJP said. 

The QCPD said Tuesday afternoon it is investigating the incident shown in the video, and said “a verbal altercation occurred involving an individual who identified himself as a member of the media and deployed police personnel.”

It also said the individual “allegedly uttered profane remarks and kicked several police personnel” which, it said, prompted police to restrain him.

The individual was later released, police said.

It said its investigation will “establish the full circumstances of the incident” and that any further action it takes “shall be guided by verified evidence, applicable laws, and due process.”

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines meanwhile said police also “deliberately stepped on” a campus journalist from the Far Eastern University and Tudla Productions.

Altermidya Network said one of its interns was also targeted by the police during an attempted dispersal early Monday afternoon. 

CEGP said the attacks on journalists were “attempts to silence the reportage” of the plight of farmers in provinces, “where they experience land grabbing, land use-conversion, and intense militarization.”

The NUJP noted that the incident was not the first time the police used violence against journalists covering protests and other events. 

On July 26, police also attempted to arrest photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan as they were covering a protest in Pasay City. 

Several journalists also reportedly sustained injuries during the anti-corruption protests on September 21, 2025.

Police later issued a subpoena to a Polytechnic University of the Philippines student journalist and accused him of involvement in the violence that erupted after the protests.

“How many more journalists must be harassed or hurt before the police are held accountable?” the group said.