TERROR TAG GONE WRONG. The now-deleted infographic made by the Malaybalay City Police in Bukidnon that was posted on its Facebook page. The Northern Mindanao police on Friday (July 17, 2020) issued a public apology following an outcry from activists and journalists. (Image courtesy of the Malaybalay City Police Office)
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 (Northern Mindanao) on Friday issued an apology over an infographic posted by the Malaybalay City Police Station (MCPS) on its Facebook page claiming that the activists are supporters of terrorism.
Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, PRO-10 spokesperson, said the regional police has already ordered the MCPS to delete the controversial post, which showed faces of activists holding placards calling for the junking of the Anti-Terror Law and not to shut down the ABS-CBN media network.
Hortillosa said the police office was also asked to explain why they made the infographic, which caused a stir among activist groups and prompted criticisms from community journalists.
"We have already issued a directive not to touch that issue since it's not under our power. We ask apology to ABS-CBN employees since we know how hard for them to think when they will settle for a living in the coming days. Airing grievances is not a crime. Doing something bad during the rally against the properties and individuals can be considered a crime. Again, our sincere apology to our friends from ABS-CBN and the whole media in general. We will always protect your press freedom," he told local reporters in an online interview.
ABS-CBN employees and supporters, including media practitioners, reacted to the message as they believed it insinuated that the police are targeting those who are against the network's closure.
In a follow-up statement on the same day, PRO-10 reiterated its public apology and assured that the MCPS would be held accountable.
"As a member of the police force, we really respect the right of expression of the people and the press freedom and we stand by it to protect such freedom. No media in the region was deprived of the said right, including the rallyists, even without permits. This action of our personnel will be investigated and let them explain what's their main message of the said post," the statement read.
"Rest assured that our regional director will always protect the press freedom, that is why the media Viber group was implemented under his leadership. We are not perfect, some of us made mistakes but it was corrected on the spot. Again, PRO-10 is committed to protecting the right of every citizen," it added.
Suporta sa Kapamilya, a newly created Mindanao media support group for ABS-CBN colleagues, issued a statement of condemnation, calling the post "deplorable" and reeks of red-tagging.
"Red-tagging does not serve and protect civilians but instead endanger(s) them and their families. It would do well for Northern Mindanao police to review the 1987 Constitution. Practicing our right to free speech is neither an act of rebellion nor terrorism," the group said.
Suporta sa Kapamilya is composed of 155 journalists and media workers, based in the cities of Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Zamboanga, Dipolog, and this city, including the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga-Sibugay, and Lanao del Norte.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1109282
Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, PRO-10 spokesperson, said the regional police has already ordered the MCPS to delete the controversial post, which showed faces of activists holding placards calling for the junking of the Anti-Terror Law and not to shut down the ABS-CBN media network.
Hortillosa said the police office was also asked to explain why they made the infographic, which caused a stir among activist groups and prompted criticisms from community journalists.
"We have already issued a directive not to touch that issue since it's not under our power. We ask apology to ABS-CBN employees since we know how hard for them to think when they will settle for a living in the coming days. Airing grievances is not a crime. Doing something bad during the rally against the properties and individuals can be considered a crime. Again, our sincere apology to our friends from ABS-CBN and the whole media in general. We will always protect your press freedom," he told local reporters in an online interview.
ABS-CBN employees and supporters, including media practitioners, reacted to the message as they believed it insinuated that the police are targeting those who are against the network's closure.
In a follow-up statement on the same day, PRO-10 reiterated its public apology and assured that the MCPS would be held accountable.
"As a member of the police force, we really respect the right of expression of the people and the press freedom and we stand by it to protect such freedom. No media in the region was deprived of the said right, including the rallyists, even without permits. This action of our personnel will be investigated and let them explain what's their main message of the said post," the statement read.
"Rest assured that our regional director will always protect the press freedom, that is why the media Viber group was implemented under his leadership. We are not perfect, some of us made mistakes but it was corrected on the spot. Again, PRO-10 is committed to protecting the right of every citizen," it added.
Suporta sa Kapamilya, a newly created Mindanao media support group for ABS-CBN colleagues, issued a statement of condemnation, calling the post "deplorable" and reeks of red-tagging.
"Red-tagging does not serve and protect civilians but instead endanger(s) them and their families. It would do well for Northern Mindanao police to review the 1987 Constitution. Practicing our right to free speech is neither an act of rebellion nor terrorism," the group said.
Suporta sa Kapamilya is composed of 155 journalists and media workers, based in the cities of Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Zamboanga, Dipolog, and this city, including the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga-Sibugay, and Lanao del Norte.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1109282
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