Police attempt to nab journalists at DAR protest: What we know so far

Screengrab from Zhanieah Ramiro/College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered an investigation into the incident

AT A GLANCE

• Police used force against journalists covering a protest at the Department of Agrarian Reform on October 19, resulting in injuries to multiple media personnel.
• Incidents of police violence included the targeting of reporters, with one journalist, Aaron Ernest Cruz, being physically assaulted and dragged by police despite identifying himself as a member of the press.
• Various groups, including the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, condemned the police's actions and called for accountability and an investigation into the incidents.

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MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City police attempted to nab at least two journalists while others were hurt while they covered a protest in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Central Office on Monday, October 19.

This year’s protest was part of the annual Peasant Month Kampuhan staged by farmers from different regions and progressive groups to amplify their call against land-grabbing, militarization, and the absence of genuine land reform.

Media under attack

At around 12:34 pm, Tudla Productions correspondent Robie Matias, a campus journalist from the Far Eastern University, was hurt after police moved to disperse the camp. Matias accused the police of deliberately stepping on him, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) said in a statement.

Over an hour later, police snatched and destroyed bamboo sticks that were supposed to be used for the farmers’ camp. According to peasant-based network Tanggol Magsasaka, a human rights watchdog, at least 23 peasant advocates were hurt.

At around 5 pm, violence again erupted in front of DAR. Police dragged Bulatlat reporter Aaron Ernest Cruz even as he repeatedly identified himself as a member of the media and showed them his ID.

In circulating videos on social media, at least five cops were seen yanking Cruz away from the protest, causing his shirt to be torn apart. His bag went missing, and police repeatedly elbowed him.

Cruz said that prior to the incident, a commotion started between protesters and authorities. He was backing off when a patrolman grabbed him and his camera, and hit him with a riot shield.

“I immediately showed my press ID and shouting ‘Taga-media ako (I’m from the media).’ The police continuously pulled me in an estimated 20 meters to 40 meters. A paralegal pulled me over away from the police, and that’s the reason why I managed to escape. I already got my medico-legal stating that I [sustained] an injury in my right eyebrow due to their assault,” said Cruz, who also sustained scratches.

“I condemn the police brutality that happened to me and to all media workers that have been harassed, assaulted, and, much worse killed, at the hand of state forces. We deal with these problems when we are just doing our job. The government and its state forces should be accountable for their long-list of records of harassing journalists,” he added in his statement.

Groups condemn attack on media

The CEGP joined Bulatlat in calling on the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the incidents and hold the police accountable for their actions.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also issued a statement, criticizing the PNP. The NUJP questioned the value of the PNP’s revised media relations policy, and reminded the PNP of its commitment under the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

It was not the first time that media got hurt by police during a protest coverage. During the September 21, 2025 riots that followed an anti-corruption protest, police grabbed and hit photojournalist Zedrich Xylak Madrid while he was taking photos in Mendiola.

The Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag of the PUP where Cruz was a campus journalist also joined in condemning the incident.

QC Mayor Belmonte orders probe

On Tuesday, October 20, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte ordered an investigation into the confrontation. 

“Pinaiimbestigahan na ni Mayor Joy Belmonte ang pangyayari. Gaya ng lagi, ang paniniwala ng Lungsod: Dapat panagutin ang sinuman na mapatutunayang gumamit ng kapangyarihan para manakit, manakot, o humadlang sa mapayapang pagpapahayag. Binigyang-diin ng alkalde ang atas na maximum tolerance dapat ang ipinapatupad ng QCPD,” the city government said in a statement.

(Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered an investigation into the incident. As a matter of practice, the City believes: Those who are proven to have used their power to hurt, intimidate, or obstruct the peaceful assembly should be held accountable. The mayor also stressed the order of maximum tolerance that should be implemented by the QCPD.)

The city government also said that it has allowed the farmers to continue their “peaceful and orderly” mobilization until noon of Wednesday, October 21.

“ Ang kanilang mga hinaing ay dapat pakinggan at tugunan sa pamamagitan ng dayalogo (Their grievances should be heard and addressed through dialogue),” the city government added.

The city government also met with DAR, the police, and representatives from the farmers’ groups on Tuesday on how to maintain order and ensure safety and cleanliness in the area during protests. – Rappler.com