‘BBC documentary on Duterte ‘tabloid’ propaganda’ -Cayetano
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano dismissed as “propaganda” a documentary
by British broadcaster BBC about the state of democracy in the Philippines.
The BBC documentary “Philippines: Democracy in Danger?” which aired on Sept. 29, delved into
the deaths attributed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
Cayetano called the reportage “anti-Duterte propaganda, more worthy of tabloid journalism and gossip.”
“The episode misleads viewers about President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s anti-illegal drug strategy, which is
actually making Philippine society safer, healthier, and more prosperous,” he said.
Cayetano urged BBC to “present an accurate and balanced view of issues about the Philippines.” He said the report
failed to mention surveys which showed that Filipinos still trust the President.
The foreign affairs chief blasted the report for failing to tackle the “enormous” drug problem in the country. He said BBC
also did consider the fact that officers tagged in the illegal drugs are being investigated.
Drug problem in the country
The documentary, which part of BBC’s “Our World” series, featured Duterte’s critics like Senators Leila de Lima, Antonio Trillanes IV and ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Cayetano said the BBC feature on the three were “one-sided” despite the inclusion of comments from Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
“It overlooks the fact that all three have given and continue to give their day in court,” he said. The officials are still free to criticize Duterte, he said.
Cayetano also slammed BBC’s feature on the Duterte administration’s supposed attack on Philippine media, which featured interviews of Rappler journalists.
Hence, individuals who read the nearby daily papers or watch the TV news “can see that the press definitely not restrained in the Philippines,” he said.
Further, Securities and Exchanges Commission renounced Rappler’s fuse papers not long ago for supposedly damaging confinements on remote possession.