(IPYS/IFEX) – On 4 February 2004, reporter Abigail Díaz Moncada, of “Diario de Chimbote” newspaper, and Edwin Azaña Alejos, camera operator for “The Power of Information” programme, broadcast on Channel 31 television station, were verbally and physically assaulted by members of the Civil Construction Workers’ Union in the city of Chimbote. The group is led […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 4 February 2004, reporter Abigail Díaz Moncada, of “Diario de Chimbote” newspaper, and Edwin Azaña Alejos, camera operator for “The Power of Information” programme, broadcast on Channel 31 television station, were verbally and physically assaulted by members of the Civil Construction Workers’ Union in the city of Chimbote. The group is led by Ezequiel Nolasco Campos.
On the morning of 4 February, Díaz Moncada was walking through Chimbote’s streets looking for some information when she was stopped by a group of men, two of whom were not wearing shirts. The men began to insult her with vulgarities and threatened her with physical harm.
The reporter later told IPYS that these workers harass and insult her every time she meets up with them. On this occasion, she was able to call police from her mobile phone just as one of the men tried to throw water on her. The construction workers then continued on their way, and, once at a distance, made more insulting gestures in her direction.
Within minutes, members of the National Peruvian Police (PNP) arrived at the scene. One of the officers went to speak to the group and reprimand them. However, he was also met with insults and vulgarities.
Camera operator Azaña Alejos appeared on the scene to film the incident. The men tried to grab his camera, and when Díaz Moncada tried to prevent them, she was elbowed in the chest. Outnumbered by the construction workers, the police officer was unable to bring the men under control. Instead, the aggressors taunted him.
