By Saul Pa-a/PNA
STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año called on the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) and the ABS-CBN television network management to look into the alleged negative portrayal of the police in the latter’s top-rated TV series “Ang Probinsiyano”.
Año made the call before some 400 local government executives, legislators, private sector stakeholders, top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, National Police Commission officials and the National Advisory Council during the closing rites on Friday evening of the four-day 4th National Advisory Council Summit at the Monochrome Events Place in Nuvali green district this city.
He said he would seek a meeting with the MTCRB and ABS-CBN management to discuss the issue.
He admitted that there are still issues the PNP face, where around 0.1 percent of the police organization is among those he called the “pasaway” (scalawags) but assured that the DILG is addressing these, including the said TV show’s bad portrayal of cops.
“Pinag-uusapan yan at kung paano maresolba yan. Gusto ko makausap muli ang MTRCB at ang management ng ABS-CBN dahil sa maling portrayal na ginagawa at ito ay nakaka-demoralize sa ating mga kapulisan (This is being talked about and how to resolve this. I want to talk anew with the MTRCB and the ABS-CBN management in view of the wrong portrayal being done and this has demoralized our police force),” Año said.
He said this kind of portrayal of the police affects those who are honest and dedicated in the service, especially those who have sacrificed their lives to serve the communities.
Culling feedback reactions from netizens on social media and commentaries from the public, Año observed that the network’s TV series plot has turned policemen into villains.
The DILG secretary expressed concern over the interpretation and the TV series’ impact on the children and young viewers, recognizing that while the broadcast media provides entertainment, they ought “to consider their moral and ethical responsibilities in everything that they do.”
He vowed to never tolerate the bad portrayal and correct this lapse, despite the belief that the story is mere fiction, because the “teleserye” characters still don the police uniforms, including the use of police equipment and dragging the entire police organization in a bad light.
The MTCRB and ABS-CBN have yet to give their side on the issue as of this posting.
Subject to MTRCB review and classification are those deemed offensive, indecent, demeaning; contrary to the country’s prestige or its people; dangerous tendency to encourage portrayal of violence, wrongful acts, crime; clear attack against any race, creed or religion.
The Board may also prohibit scenes or portions of films and TV programs that encourage the use of illegal drugs or substances; libelous or defamatory to person’s (living or deceased) name and reputation and TV programs and films that constitute contempt of court or of any quasi-judicial bodies.
Año lamented the fact that some TV programs are portraying cops as villains instead of highlighting the police’s accomplishments and sacrifices – like the significant reduction in the nationwide crime volume, which he said has not been given media exposure, and also the cop heroes.
He also expressed confidence that the police organization could successfully breezed through with its genuine transformation under the PATROL PLAN 2030.
