MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE – 2:14 p.m.) An Australian journalist was wounded in he neck by a wayward bullet as he was covering the evacuation center in the Lanao del Sur Capitol in Marawi City Thursday morning.
The team of Adam Harvey of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. was surprised when they saw blood on the left side of his neck.
Harvey, ABC’s Southeast Asia correspondent, was given first aid at the capitol clinic before being transferred to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
The journalist said on his Twitter account that he was “okay” and that the “bullet is still in my neck but it missed everything important.”
He also posted an X-ray photo showing the slug embedded in his neck.
Authorities have tightened security in Marawi.
Starting Thursday, media will not be allowed outside the capitol compound because of the danger from stray bullets as fighting between government forces and extremist gunmen enters its fourth week.
In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, informed of the incident, initially chose to highlight the need for media to be “objective” in covering the crisis.
“I think they should try to be objective as possible and see it in the context that this is really … that this is an action of rebellion and that they see it along that line, and they report along these lines, and they’re objective and that (they) stay out of trouble,” he said.
However, he later released a written statement that showed more concern for the journalists covering Marawi.
“We call on the media courageously covering the situation in Marawi to remain true to your profession in delivering timely, accurate and relevant news to our people. After all, part of any journalist’s sacred calling is to bear witness to the truth,” he said.
“While I understand that you would not shirk your duty in the pursuit of any story, bear in mind that there’s no story more valuable than one’s life. Take the necessary precautions and stay safe while covering conflicts,” he added.
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Nakabaon pa rin sa leeg ng Australian journalist ang ligaw na balang tumama sa kanya.For more latest stories, visit us at www.news5.com.ph
Posted by News5 on Thursday, June 15, 2017
