PNP to probe ‘staged’ sale of Chinese flags

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday ordered an investigation on the reported sale of Chinese flags in Rizal Park in Manila.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde directed Manila Police District director Brig. Gen.Vicente Danao to identify the persons behind the incident, which according to the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) was “staged.”

“We will look into it. It could be the work of someone who wants to get media mileage. Maybe it’s just a stunt,” Albayabalde told reporters.

NPDC executive director Penelope Belmonte said she learned that the photos posted on social media were orchestrated after she confronted the four vendors, including a minor, following their arrest on Sunday.

The incident happened ahead of the Philippine Independence Day commemoration in Rizal Park tomorrow.

Photographs of the vendors purportedly selling the flags went viral on social media.

Belmonte said the vendors admitted that they were paid P100 by unidentified men to pose as if they were selling Chinese flags to visitors in the park.

Closed-circuit television footage caught three men who allegedly paid the vendors.

“There is fake news circulating on social media that Chinese flags are being sold in Rizal Park. It is not true,” Belmonte said. – Evelyn Macairan