The report on “Bandila” which they interviewed two case studies from Villasis and Santa Barbara whose skin were reported to be ‘decaying’ (naaagnas). The reporter can be seen wearing a doctor’s protective gear and face mask. She said the two cases were not that of the rare necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and destroys the body’s soft tissue, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The provincial health officer dispelled the report, saying the two victims had psoriasis and leprosy.
This ABS-CBN News’ “Bandila” report made an internet buzz that a prophecy by self-titled prophet Vincent Selvakumar of the Voice of Jesus Ministries in April 2013 said a flesh-eating disease would spread from the Ilocos province to the world. Just hours after the report came out Monday night, the hashtag #PrayForPangasinan trended on Twitter, with netizens resorting to faith amid fears of an apocalyptic doom.
Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said the television network must issue a public apology, “Mas maganda kung mag issue ng public apology ‘yung istasyon na nagpalabas nung hoax na ‘yun. In the first place kasi, isolated case ‘yun, they should have verified. Ang nangyari, they’re too eager to blow it up out of proportion.” “for the anxiety and scare they had caused. They blew it out of proportion, they should have verified before projecting it to the whole country.”
“Kulang na lang mandiri ang mga tao sa Pangasinan. E siguro nararapat lamang na some kind of apology. Pero reporting without checking is irresponsible reporting,” said Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. in an interview.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona immediately issued a clarification on the matter after the news report came out. He said there is no case “flesh-eating disease” in Pangasinan and in the Philippines.
There’s no official statement yet from ABS-CBN regarding this issue as of writing.
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