Radio reporter released from Marikina police jail

MANILA, Philippines - A dzRH radio reporter who was beaten up, handcuffed and detained for arguing with a police desk officer was released yesterday after being held overnight at the Marikina City police jail.

Assistant City Prosecutor Von Sto. Domingo recommended the release of radio reporter Edmar Estabillo, 40. The case was placed under further investigation.

Chief Prosecutor Jason Antonio Amante of the Marikina prosecutor’s office approved the recommendation.

Senior Police Officer 1 Manuel Laison had filed charges of direct assault upon an agent in authority, unjust vexation and simple disobedience against Estabillo following an argument at the Marikina City police headquarters last Tuesday.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Elmer Jamias said they were waiting for Estabillo to file counter charges against Laison.

Jamias ordered Laison to be disarmed and reassigned to the Regional Police Holding and Administrative Unit (RPHAU) of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Laison was the duty desk officer at the Marikina City police station when Estabillo arrived and asked for the police blotter to get a story last Tuesday morning.

Closed-circuit television camera footage showed Laison arguing with Estabillo. The policeman later brought the reporter to a nearby office.

Laison tackled Estabillo to the ground. The reporter was  handcuffed and detained.

The policeman claimed that Estabillo failed to properly identify himself, refused to hand over his identification card and pointed his fingers at him, which is an insult to his uniform. – Non Alquitran, Artemio Dumlao