National Union of Journalists of the Philippine just release a statement after Military tells media to ‘exercise prudence’ after a Chinese crafts chase Filipino crew who are within the Philippine territory.
STATEMENT | It is almost like the military is asking the Filipino journalists "what were you doing there?" even when the better question might be aimed at the AFP: What were you not doing there? pic.twitter.com/83Y2WALP3l
— NUJP (@nujp) April 9, 2021
For context, a Filipino civilian vessel with the ABS-CBN news team aboard was chased by a Chinese military sea vessel equipped with missiles. You can read the full report here – LOOK: Chinese vessels hound Philippine fishing boat.
Department of National Defense (DND) and AFP then release two separate statements, regarding the incident and said that “The AFP is concerned with the safety and well-being of our Kababayans that we have been forthright and transparent in our reporting about the situation in our EEZ”. Here’s the full report from Rappler – DND orders probe into Chinese ships’ harassment of Filipino TV crew.
You can read the AFP’s full statement below;
Statement on the reported incident involving ABS-CBN team in the WPS:
The AFP expresses concern over the report of an alleged harassment by Chinese PLA Navy vessels and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel as reported by a team of journalist on board a watercraft within our EEZ.
1/n
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) April 9, 2021
We have made representations with the news reporter to provide us raw footage or photographs they have of the incident to help us establish the circumstances and document the incident.
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— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) April 9, 2021
The AFP is concerned with the safety and well-being of our Kababayans that we have been forthright and transparent in our reporting about the situation in our EEZ.
5/n
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) April 9, 2021
Amidst the situation, the AFP reiterates its commitment to follow the dictates of the Constitution to protect the people and secure our sovereignty and sovereign rights.
7/7
(AFP Statement via Spokesperson @atty_edarevalo)
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) April 9, 2021