Alejano on PTV’s Chinese shows: ‘Part of China’s soft power strategy’

People’s Television Network (PTV)’s airing of Chinese shows is “a clear display of the Duterte administration’s surrender to China’s power,” Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said on Thursday.

In a statement, the opposition lawmaker suspects that the move is “part of the soft power strategy of China which seeks to influence and infiltrate Filipinos through economic, political, and now cultural tools.”

“The latter is a matter of making us understand the oppressors and grabbers of our islands in a subtle and subliminal way. Ang pinakamasaklap ay ito ay ginagawa ng isang institusyon ng gobyerno at ginagastusan gamit ang kaban ng bayan,” he added.

Alejano also finds this move ironic as PTV is “mandated to be a vehicle of the government to promote national pride, identity and culture.”

“Dapat ang mas pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng PTV ay ang pagpapasidhi ng nasyonalismo sa pamamagitan ng mga programang nagpapahalaga sa ating kasaysayan at kaugalian. Ito dapat ang ipinapalaganap at hindi ang pagtatraydor sa bayan,” he added.

On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said the Philippines’ flagship government television network, operated by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), will soon be airing Chinese language television series, documentaries, cartoons and movies that will be dubbed in Tagalog.

Under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10390, or “An Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network, Incorporated,” PTV is mandated to “develop the broadcasting industry as a medium for the development, promotion and advancement of Filipino nationalism, culture and values that serve as an instrument in the struggle for Filipino sovereignty, identity, national unity and integration.”

INQUIRER.net is trying to get the reaction of Malacañang but has yet to get a reply as of posting time.  /muf

READ: Let the show Beijing: PTV to air programs promoting Chinese history, culture