Screengrab from NUJP

Three reporters from San Juanico TV narrowly survived a shooting incident in Pastrana, Leyte on July 14. The reporters, identified as Lito Bagunas, Noel Sianosa, and Ted Tomas, were conducting interviews with farmers in Barangay Jones when they encountered police officer Rhea Mae Baleos.

Baleos approached the reporters and demanded that they leave the area. Sianosa was capturing video footage when Baleos grabbed his cellphone and forcefully pushed him away. Shortly after, gunshots rang out, and Tomas witnessed uniformed policemen firing the shots.
Realizing the danger, Tomas shouted at the officers, identifying themselves as members of the media and urging them to stop shooting. Thankfully, the three journalists managed to escape harm in the incident.

Preliminary information suggests that the farmers involved in the land dispute were beneficiaries of a land reform program, which may have led to tensions in the area.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned the attack and expressed concern over the safety of journalists covering sensitive issues. The NUJP Safety Office can be contacted at +639602784263 for further assistance.