- PNP blocks support for “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
- PNP directs all personnel to cease support for ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ production.
- Concerned Artists of the Philippine slammed government’s “censorship”.
FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano‘s controversy has yet to die down as the Philippine National Police (PNP) recently ordered all its units to stop extending assistance to the production of the said series.
PNP on Friday, November 16, issued a memorandum directing all offices, and personnel to stop providing support and assistance to the production team of the longest-running and top-rating action-drama series that topbills Coco Martin.
In the memorandum, PNP Community Relations Director Eduardo Garado said producers of the show promised during a dialogue with the PNP and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Oct. 17 and 23 to “make the necessary corrections on the issues raised by the PNP in a week’s time.”
However, the producers allegedly did not make the necessary corrections, thus, coming up with the directive to block support to the production.
“All units, offices, and personnel are advised to immediately refrain from assisting, to withdraw their support to the production of the said teleserye in terms of PNP resources like patrol cars, firearms, personnel, venues, and other items and gadgets being used in the teleserye.”
“While our PNP legal officers are studying our legal options, there is a need to immediately withdraw the PNP’s assistance, if there is any, in the production of the teleserye,” said Garado.
This latest move from the PNP came off the heels of the PNP Chief and DILG Sec.’s pronouncements criticizing the series for purportedly maligning the reputation of the police organization.
And while ABS-CBN reassured the PNP and DILG that FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is all work of fiction the Department still considers filing legal action against the producers of the action-drama series.
Concerned Artists of the Philippines react.
After the series of threat from the government particularly the PNP versus FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) came with a strong stand denouncing such moves.
On Saturday, November 17, the artists’ group slammed the government for meddling in the plot of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
“This conveys a chilling message to all TV producers, writers, and directors: do not criticize us or cast us in an unflattering light, or risk retaliation in various means,” CAP said.
The group said it is gravely concerned about the several pronouncements of various government agencies which are similar to the days during Marcos dictatorship when government controlled its crony media.
In a statement, the CAP said “These PNP and DILG officials have no right to meddle in the content and direction of mass media and other cultural productions.
“Their attempts to intervene and dictate the narrative in favor of the PNP are tantamount to censorship and suppression of creative freedom,” the group added.
The CAP then urged fellow artists, cultural and entertainment workers to stand united against threat to creative freedom and censorship.
“We laud and encourage other fellow artists and cultural workers to continue calling out these attacks on freedom of expression, the suppression of truth, and human rights violations.”
