THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) deployed personnel to maintain order during a rally outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) along Elliptical Road on Monday, October 19, 2026. Approximately 80 individuals gathered at the site to voice grievances under the banner “Land for Farmers, Not Pax Silica.”
According to an official statement, the QCPD emphasized its commitment to respecting freedom of speech and peaceful assembly as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, noting that officers exercised maximum tolerance and professionalism to safeguard both demonstrators and the general public.
However, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) strongly condemned the QCPD following reports of police violence against members of the press covering the demonstration.
The union highlighted an incident involving Bulatlat reporter Ernest Cruz, who was allegedly subjected to physical force by police despite shouting “Taga-Media ako” and presenting his press identification.
Additionally, the NUJP reported that Far Eastern University (FEU) campus journalist and Tudla
The NUJP underscored that these events are part of a broader pattern of state pressure against the press, recalling previous incidents such as the attempted arrest of photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan in Pasay City earlier this year.
Invoking the October 2025 agreement between the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS)—which explicitly prohibits the use of force against media workers—the union demanded immediate accountability for the officers involved.
Furthermore, the NUJP reminded authorities of their commitments under the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, urging the Philippine National Police to ensure reporters can work freely without fear of harassment or obstruction.
