MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the producers of television show “Ang Probinsyano” will meet this week to iron out their differences.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año made the announcement Monday, days after he mentioned the possibility of filing legal action against the producers of the show if the storyline is not changed.
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“The producers of the show have approached us to discuss ways to resolve the issues raised by the Philippine National Police. As we said previously, we are always open to dialogue and we look forward to meeting with them soon,” Año said.
He added: “We look forward to a constructive meeting where both parties can relay their honest views to each other.”
Last week, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde cried foul over the supposedly negative portrayal of cops in ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ He also decried the portrayal of the country’s top cop, saying it is “far from reality.”
ABS-CBN stressed that the show is fictional and is not meant to put the PNP in bad light.
In 2016, actor Coco Martin, who plays the protagonist cop Cardo Dalisay, was even recognized by the PNP for his portrayal of a police officer.
Año: Show should use fictional law enforcement agency
While he said he recognizes that the show is a work of fiction, Año said the agency “[takes] issue” with the use of PNP name, logo, insignia and uniform.
“If they wish to proceed with the show’s current plot, they are free to utilize a fictional law enforcement agency. That would be consistent with their claim that the show is completely a work of fiction, which unfortunately is not the case,” the DILG chief said.
DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said this violates the Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits individuals from publicly and improperly using insignia or uniforms of an office which they are not member of.
He added that the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and the PNP signed a memorandum of agreement last year about the appropriate way of wearing police uniforms on television programs and movies.
In June, Dumaguete City police arrested a "fake" police operative who presented a counterfeit identification card and claimed to be a member of the Eastern Visayas’ Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
In April, a tricycle driver was arrested and charged in Pasay City for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
According to a report of the incident, the man was nabbed while wearing a navy blue polo shirt and pants, with the shirt bearing the Philippine National Police logo. He reportedly introduced himself as a Police Officer 1, presenting a PNP identification card that was later found to be fake.
In 2017, a man from Talisay City, Negros Occidental was charged for violating Article 179 by police responding to a report of a man wearing a general office attire (GOA) Type “C” uniform and who was armed with a .45 caliber pistol at a local gymnasium.
Moral, ethical responsibility
Año, moreover, said the producers have moral and ethical responsibility to portray the PNP to the public.
In the show, which has been running since 2015, the fictional PNP chief and a similarly fictional vice president are portrayed as working together in illegal activities.
Dalisay, meanwhile, has joined a rebel group called Vendetta.
“The producers have a moral and ethical responsibility to the nation. Under the Children’s Television Act, broadcasting as a form of mass communication is impressed with public interest and the Constitution imposes upon the industry the social responsibility of ensuring that its activities serve the interest and welfare of the people,” Año said.
The Concerned Artists of the Philippines condemned the statements of DILG and the PNP against “Ang Probinsyano,” saying this is an attack on freedom of expression.
The producers of the show have stressed that the show was not meant to disparage the PNP and that a disclaimer is shown before the whos starts making clear that the events and people in the TV show are fictional.