MANILA–The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned the arrest, attempted arrest and harassment of at least 22 media workers and campus journalists covering protests surrounding the 2026 ASEAN Summit in Manila on Nov. 15.

In a statement issued Sunday, the NUJP said it had documented at least 22 cases of alleged police harassment involving journalists covering various protest activities.

Among those affected were campus journalists from UPLB Perspective, UPLB The Staple, UP Philippine Collegian and CCC The Sentinel, who were covering the Lakbayan of Southern Tagalog delegates in Sucat, Muntinlupa City, when police arrested about 300 protesters.

A journalist from UP Philippine Collegian and another from Southern Tagalog Exposure were also arrested in the area, the NUJP said.

Meanwhile, at least two campus journalists from UP Tinig ng Plaridel and a journalist from Altermidya reported that police attempted to arrest them at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

The NUJP also said it was verifying reports from two other media workers who allegedly suffered physical violence during police dispersals.

It cited the account of Adrian Puse of Altermidya, who said a Manila Police District officer grabbed him from behind and forcibly restrained both his arms despite his wearing a uniform with visible media markings and carrying a media identification card.

Puse managed to break free after asserting that he was a member of the media, the NUJP said.

The journalists’ group called on police to stop the alleged violence and intimidation against protesters and media workers covering the demonstrations.

It said the arrests and harassment violated the public’s right to peaceful assembly and the media’s freedom to report on matters of public interest.

The NUJP stressed that journalists must be allowed to cover public events, document alleged abuses and report the activities of protesters without fear of police violence or intimidation.

“Police violence and intimidation have no place in the exercise of these rights,” the group said. (Ang Pahayagan Reportorial Team)