Radio reporter accuses cop of threats

CEBU, Philippines - A radio reporter has accused a police officer assigned in Lapu-Lapu City of threats and had the incident recorded in the blotter at the Gun-ob Police Station last Tuesday.

Norman Mendoza, 44, reporter of dySS-Super Radyo, claimed that Senior Police Officer 2 Esnang Sarapuddin, who is detailed as tourist police in Lapu-Lapu City, allegedly threatened to kill him.

The alleged threat happened during a demolition at Sitio Seaside, Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City last September 2. Mendoza said he was covering the demolition when Sarapuddin allegedly confronted him why he was taking video of him.

 Mendoza said he told the police officer that he was not taking video but rather writing with his tablet.

“Ako giingan nga naa ko’y gi-type. Unya ako siyang giingnan nga bisan pa’g ato ni tan-awon akong gallery diri, wa gyud ni video nimo, unya ngano man diay’g mag-video ko sir, amo man ni trabaho,” Mendoza recalled having told Sarapuddin.

Sarapuddin denied threatening Mendoza. He said he only told him in jest why he was not assigned in Jolo.

“Giduol ko siya, gi-komedyahan ko siya. Wa pa lagi ka maadto sa Jolo?” Sarapuddin said.

Mendoza said Sarapuddin allegedly confronted him about his news report of their previous encounter while he was pursuing a story about a British national who was arrested for hitting a Singaporean in Lapu-Lapu City last May 8.

Sarapuddin said he called Mendoza’s attention after barging into the police station without proper identification.

  “Nisud siya, Wa’y respeto, taga-media daw siya pero iyaha porma di mailhan taga-media,” Sarapudidin explained.

Mendoza was asked to present his identification card which allegedly started the misunderstanding. Sarapuddin was reportedly subjected to negative reports by Mendoza since then.

Mendoza said he told Sarapuddin to file a case if he felt aggrieved of his negative reports.

“Pirmiro giingnan nako siya nga sir kung tan-aw nimo nga libelous ang akong report sa radio, file og kaso. Niingon siya ang Muslim di na mo-file ug kaso. Akong giingnan mo-unsa diay, sir? Niingon sad siya kung dautan  pa ko na Muslim,  gipapatay na tika. Gikuyawan ko,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said his wife called him up yesterday and reported that there were two unidentified persons looking for him. He said he had the incident recorded in the blotter upon the advice of his management.

Mendoza has already reported the incident to Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Rommel Cabagnot.

Mendoza said he is willing to settle provided that Sarapuddin would be transferred outside of Cebu. Mendoza is the president of Association of Reporters of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu in Truth and Excellence. (FREEMAN)