By Alec Go
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) released a statement Thursday, Feb. 16, recognizing the concerns on the depiction of Muslim characters in the new program, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.
On Thursday, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong expressed dismay over the depiction of Muslim characters “as harboring and condoning theft, under the pretext of using stolen goods to help others” in the series.
The MTRCB said “it is mindful that discriminatory and offensive portrayals of Filipino Muslims harm our Muslim brothers and sisters” and goes against the call of the current administration for unity.
“The MTRCB is currently working on institutionalizing television and motion picture guidelines/policies that are responsive to the cultural and religious sensitivities of Filipino Muslim viewers,” the statement read.
The film review body is set to notify the networks concerned “to ensure that depictions of Filipino Muslims in their programs honor the culture, society, and special values of Islam and the Filipino Muslim community.”
The producer of Batang Quiapo has already issued an apology, saying that the program had no intentions to discriminate, hurt, or to negatively portray Muslims.
“Nangangako rin kaming maging sensitibo sa paghahatid namin ng kwento ni Tanggol at ng kanyang komunidad sa teleserye,” it said. – gb
