ABS-CBN released an official statement and denied the fake news published by Ricky Velasco on Twitter about the South East Asian (SEA) Games 2019. ABS-CBN clarified that Velasco resigned from the network four years ago.
“ABS-CBN News did not vet or approve the social media post made by former DZMM reporter Ricky Velasco. Mr. Velasco retired from the network in 2015. His post showed a Philippine flag purportedly used as tablecloth during a meal for SEA Games athletes.
ABS-CBN News has social media guidelines and gatekeeping layers to prevent erroneous and misleading posts.
Mr. Velasco’s post did not go through any of these processes. ABS-CBN News does not spread disinformation.”
Apparently, Velasco uploaded on Facebook a series of photos where the Philippine flag was used as a table cover that even dropped low enough to reach the floor.
“But wait there’s more…. This to all the blunders in the SEAGames 2019. Meals are served to participating athletes. But using our FLAG as a table cover mantle? Notice that, the flag even touches the floor.”
Due to Velasco’s post, where he gave credit to Albert Papina as his photo source, the latter received a number of messages asking him if it was true. Now, Albert is asking for the public’s help to inform everyone that there is no truth to Velasco’s photos.
So RICKY G.VELASCO PAID BY @liberalpartyph https://t.co/DB4LT6rUCA pic.twitter.com/kZZTSk2xZt
— REXXAR (@MakeitbetterP) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/HRhorribles/status/1199304174602555393
For fairness and transparency i will retweet this post.
This is inconnection to my last post, regarding a photo of a Philippine flag being used as a table cover mantle that was posted by Mr. Ricky Velasco . #SEAGames2019@mlq3 https://t.co/BkU2wsWhbT— Teta Limcangco (@teta_limcangco) November 26, 2019
So this Ricky Velasco reported this fake news? Didn't clarify where the photo was from? How came these reporters get a free pass? https://t.co/15nhVD5956
—
kaela (@k_aletha) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ma2_Tayna_Ca_yo/status/1199501089143263233
Ricky G. Velasco of @ABSCBNNews
pic.twitter.com/5KRARkWjWV
— Jack Bauer (@bibo1409) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/Capricorn011490/status/1199510083454955521
“Please help me clarify the matter. Hey guys! A lot of DM came into my inbox asking if the desecration of the Philippine flag is related to the SEAG. No! My goodness! I just picked it up from a friend’s posts. I posted it just to express my dismay that apparently we the Filipinos have lost our love to our Mother Country. It’s as if we don’t love our country and desecrating our flag is blasphemous and the highest insult to us and to our beloved the Philippines.”
Papino expressed his anger towards ABS-CBN as well, seemingly unaware that Velasco was no longer with the network.
