MANILA, Philippines – Hiningi ni reelectionist Senator Francis ‘TOL’ Tolentino sa ABS-CBN News na magpaliwanag at mag-apology sa maling paggamit ng mga larawan niya at ng kanyang mga tauhan sa ulat na krimen na ipinalabas sa TV Patrol kamakalawa ng gabi.
“I strongly condemn the use of photos showing me and my staff members, who were even wearing my campaign shirt, for a TV Patrol report on a shooting that wounded three people in Barangay Labangal, General Santos City,” ayon sa senador.
Hiniling din ni Tolentino sa ABS-CBN na tanggalin ang balitang nai-post sa website nito, YouTube, at Facebook platforms.
“This is downright fake news! My staff and I had no involvement of whatever kind with the said crime. Intentional or not, this mistake could have been prevented if only ABS-CBN News verified the pictures. Observing due diligence is the primary responsibility of any media organization,” iginiit niya.
Sinabi ni Tolentino na ang mga larawang ipinakita noong Sunday ediition (Marso 2) ng TV Patrol ay talagang mula sa paliparan ng General Santos noong nakaraang linggo – nang bumisita ang senador sa lungsod bilang isa sa mga panauhin sa Kalilangan Festival noong Pebrero 27.
“Ironically, the Kalilangan Festival highlights peace and the unity of the people in GenSan,” ipinunto niya.
“I will officially file a complaint against them through the COMELEC and National Telecommunications Office. Legal action may also be considered,” sabi ni Tolentino na isang abogado.
“I call on them to take down the news report, explain, and apologize. If this act can be committed on a sitting senator, then what more for ordinary Filipinos? In today’s digital era, a moment of fake news can destroy a reputation built for a lifetime,” pagtatapos ng senador.
Samantala, kinikilala naman ng ABS-CBN News na isang pagkakamali ang paggamit ng mga larawan. Ang mga larawan ay hindi konektado sa ulat ng balita sa insidente ng pamamaril noong Marso 1.
“As soon as the error was flagged on March 2, Sunday night, ABS-CBN immediately rectified the error by taking down the report from all its digital properties, including YouTube, Facebook, and Tiktok.”
“ABS-CBN Integrated News apologizes for the unintentional error. The news management is looking into this matter and reviewing editorial processes to avoid similar mistakes,” sabi ng network sa isang pahayag nito. RNT
