PCOO press freedom caravan in Europe

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in a statement sent to media says no public funds are wasted in the Europe caravan for press freedom of PCOO officials. He adds that his radio interview was taken out of context.

READ: Communications Secretary Martin Andanar defends PCOO's press freedom caravan in Europe @bworldph pic.twitter.com/sp48qO8VL2

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Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan questioned the announced caravan in European countries by the Presidential Communications Operations Office to clarify concerns on the state of press freedom in the Philippines.

"Why is the government suddenly interested in clearing its name before the international community on the arrest of Maria Ressa when before, when before it has ignored criticisms on extrajudicial killings as a result of the drug war?" the president of the Liberal Party says.

"Aren't the President's defenders enough to parry the views on the apparently harassment incident?" he added.

The case of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa would be one of the topics to be tackled in the caravan as PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar last Saturday said that officials would explain "why the Duterte administration had nothing to do with it."

READ: PCOO to hold Europe caravan to explain to int'l media Duterte not behind Ressa arrest

Meanwhile, Pangilinan questions how much of taxpayers' money will be spent on the trip.

"Isn't it more worthwhile and beneficial to spend it in helping the DOH in its information drive to get as many children vaccinated to help curb the measles outbreak?"

He urges the PCOO to use the country's meager resources judiciously.