NUJP defends Tulfo’s right as journalist

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines maintains that there was nothing wrong in columnist and broadcaster Ramon Tulfo’s taking photographs of actress Claudine Barretto while she was giving an airline’s staff a dressing-down at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia-3) on May 6.

Barretto and her husband are celebrities and are thus, public figures. They were also in a public place and were involved in a commotion, making the incident legitimate for coverage.

Tulfo was also right in not handing over his cellular phone with a camera. No one has the right to forcibly take a person’s camera or phone, especially that of a journalist documenting a public incident.

The matter on who started the violence should be left to the investigating authorities who should file the appropriate charges against those found liable.

—NESTOR BURGOS JR.,

chair, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines,

nujphil@gmail.com