PNP Rebukes ‘Erroneous’ Report on Cebu-Based Journalist

The Philippine National Police (PNP) lamented the “erroneous” reports by online news site Rappler that a Cebu-based journalist was detained amid the imposition of the strictest enhanced community quarantine measure (ECQ) in Cebu City.

“The PNP deplored the disinformation published by online news website Rappler that police front-liners detained a local journalist in Cebu City last Thursday,” the PNP statement released on Sunday read.

According to a Rappler report headlined “Cebu City Lockdown: ‘Imported’ Cops Detain Local Journalist” published on July 3, 2020, Sheriza Mae Uy of Banat News, was “apprehended by the Special Action Force” on Thursday, July 2 and was “detained for 15 minutes”.

Uy has categorically denied the Rappler report through her personal Facebook page.

“I am posting this to correct this erroneous report by Rappler. It was true that I was stopped by a SAF trooper, but I was not detained,” Uy said in her Facebook post on July 4, 2020.

She described it as a minor incident that was settled immediately.

“I hope this story will be rectified to avoid things from blowing out of proportion,” Uy said. “I hope this clarification will put the issue to rest. I am aware the challenges that our policemen are facing in this time of crisis.”

Uy also apologized to the PNP “if this report caused undue stress on the part of our valiant law enforcers.”

“Unnecessary stress is something that they don’t need right now,” she added.

Rappler has since updated the story.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced that Cebu City remains under ECQ until July 15 as it is now considered a “hotspot” for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) due to rising cases of violations of quarantine protocols. (PNA)