‘Ang Probinsyano,’ DILG to hold talks amid controversy

Secretary Eduardo Año of the Interior and Local Government. INQUIRER FILE

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the producers of the television series “Ang Probinsyano” will meet this week to “iron out differences” about the show, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.

The dialogue was set after the DILG warned of suing the show’s producers should it continue to portray the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a negative way.

READ: DILG mulls raps vs ‘Ang Probinsyano’ producers

According to Año, the producers of the show reached out to the agency to settle the matter.

“The producers of the show 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,” he said in a statement.

Año said the DILG recognizes the disclaimer of the ABS-CBN network noting that the elements of the show are fictitious, but added that there are limits with the use of the PNP’s name, logo, insignia, uniform, and materials.

He noted that Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code prohibits any person to publicly or improperly use the insignia, uniforms, or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons of which he is not a member.

Executive Order No. 297 also regulates the sale, distribution, and use of PNP uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements, he said.

READ: PNP bans ‘Ang Probinsyano’ from using police assets, personnel

“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 show of fiction, which unfortunately is not the case,” Año said.

He clarified that they did not wish to dictate the show’s plot or storyline and that they did not want the show to stop airing on television.

READ: Año: TV series demoralizing PNP ranks

He said the DILG was “the first to cry foul when freedom of expression is stifled.”

Earlier, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde decried how the show was putting the police organization in a bad light.

The series currently portrays the PNP chief as a scalawag and the protagonist Ricardo Dalisay, played by Coco Martin, as a policeman who joined the rebel group Vendetta. /cbb

READ:  ‘Ang Probinsyano’ gives ‘bad impression’ of cops – PNP chief