(CMFR/IFEX) – A tabloid reporter was assaulted and robbed by two suspected illegal drug users in Tondo, Manila, on 26 January 2005, according to the local evening paper “People’s Journal Tonight”. German Roque, a reporter for the local daily tabloid “Hataw”, sustained scratches on the right ear, forehead, and all over his body. Reports indicated […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – A tabloid reporter was assaulted and robbed by two suspected illegal drug users in Tondo, Manila, on 26 January 2005, according to the local evening paper “People’s Journal Tonight”.
German Roque, a reporter for the local daily tabloid “Hataw”, sustained scratches on the right ear, forehead, and all over his body.
Reports indicated that Roque was riding his motorcycle, on his way to another reporter’s house, when the alleged robbers, who were also riding motorcycles, appeared alongside the reporter. One of the suspects reportedly kicked Roque’s motorcycle, causing him to fall to the ground. The suspects then punched Roque while one threatened to stab him.
The police arrested one of the suspects, a certain Francis Garcia, who told investigators that he and his cohort, who managed to escape, had been commissioned to frighten Roque. Garcia refused to identify the person who ordered the attack.
It was not clear if Roque was writing about drug-related stories or why the suspects wanted to frighten him.
