Several journalists have taken to social media specifically Twitter to share their reactions on the incident involving GMA (DZBB) reporter Mark Makalalad.
Makalalad was confronted by members of the PNP as he was making a report in a public area.
In a tweet, fellow GMA reporter JP Soriano was appalled by what happened to Makalalad but at the same time, he praised the DZBB reporter for handling the situation well.
“Ang tindi nito! @MMakalalad pero you handled yourself very well to what appears to be a very awkward & bizarre situation .@pnppio @PNPChiefGamboa Paki check naman po ito mga sir.”
Ang tindi nito! @MMakalalad pero you handled yourself very well to what appears to be a very awkward & bizarre situation . @pnppio @PNPChiefGamboa Paki check naman po ito mga sir. 🙏 https://t.co/c4YdSd3EYO
— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) June 25, 2020
Barnaby Lo meanwhile shared why the oppositions against the anti-terror bill are valid given this recent experience by Makalalad.
“GMA reporter Mark Makalalad does a live report in what’s clearly a public area. Police approach him telling him he needed prior coordination, and then one of the cops finally says… ‘BAKA KASI KALABAN KA.’ Wala pang anti-terror law nyan. Is the fear of abuse unfounded?”
GMA reporter Mark Makalalad does a live report in what’s clearly a public area. Police approach him telling him he needed prior coordination, and then one of the cops finally says…
“BAKA KASI KALABAN KA.”
Wala pang anti-terror law nyan. Is the fear of abuse unfounded? pic.twitter.com/bsMi38svjG
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) June 25, 2020
Kapamilya journalist Jeff Canoy, on the other hand, joked about bringing back classic journo uniforms so police can easily identify them and won’t bother to intimidate the media anymore.
“Marikina police says Super Radyo reporter was confronted because he had no ID, not in uniform” Journo friends, ibalik na ang mga fedora hat, pipa at trench coat o kaya 80s chaleco ano po opo.“
“Marikina police says Super Radyo reporter was confronted because he had no ID, not in uniform”
Journo friends, ibalik na ang mga fedora hat, pipa at trench coat o kaya 80s chaleco ano po opohttps://t.co/8YgownYrgY
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) June 26, 2020
On Thursday, Makalalad shared on his Facebook page his disturbing experience with the police after his live report.
According to Makalalad, he was intimidated by the Marikina police after doing live report along Marcos Highway in Marikina.
“Hindi naman po sir, pero kailangan nyo po ng coordination kasi vinideohan nyo po kami.”
“So, pinakita ko yung cellphone ko and I showed them na hindi ko sila vinideohan. Isa pa, ang selfie live ko ang background ay traffic, hindi sila. I felt bad kasi napagbintangan ako.
“Ito ang argument ko, kunwari ordinary citizen lang ako at naglalalakad at nagvivideo, kunwari, vlogger, kailangan ko rin bang magpaalam sa kanila?” Makalalad continued.
But what’s disturbing the most about his experience according to the GMA News reporter is when the police told him the reason why they approached him.
“Sumagot yung isang pulis, ‘baka kasi sir kalaban ka,'” Makalalad shared.
Here are other reactions from other journalists.
What the heck
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) June 25, 2020
Hindi ko yata nakuha ang memo tungkol sa uniform a. Also, Friday ngayon, laundry day. Paano na yan? 😩🤣 https://t.co/fh8WC6ioIm
— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) June 26, 2020
May uniform na ba tayo? #IWasNotInformed 😫 https://t.co/QOSxZK4Y0v
— Mariz Umali (@marizumali) June 26, 2020
Ito, puwede na ba? Pero di naman yan official everyday uniform. Kasi wala naman ngang ganun. pic.twitter.com/8gnrT0u8Gn
— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) June 26, 2020
Bagong journalist uniform para madali ma-identify pic.twitter.com/rXeHovENSX
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) June 26, 2020
Meanwhile, the Marikina police asked for understanding with regard to the incident involving Makalalad.
In a statement, Marikina police chief Restituto Arcangel said there were no inappropriate actions done by Marikina police when they apprehended Makalalad. He explained that Makalalad was not wearing his media ID so the policemen in that area approached him.
“I don’t think our troops did something inappropriate considering the circumstances. Hindi nila nakilala si Mark Makalalad dahil hindi siya naka-uniform, walang ID,” Arcangel said.
“Hindi nila napansin na may marked vehicle ng media, and then ‘yung gamit ni Mark Makalalad ay cellphone lang at hindi ‘yung usual na camera typically used by the media,” he added.
Archangel also added that since the incident was already resolved between the parties, it shouldn’t cause further issues.
