DILG, ‘Ang Probinsyano’ producers resolve rift

MANILA, Philippines — After trading barbs, officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and producers of ABS-CBN’s television series “Ang Probinsyano” have resolved their rift over the show’s alleged negative portrayal of the police force, which has gotten the ire of the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a joint statement yesterday, both parties said they had a “fruitful dialogue” wherein they expressed their respective views.

The closed-door meeting between government officials led by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año and producers of the show, including lead actor Coco Martin, took place at Camp Crame Wednesday afternoon.

The DILG and the PNP “will continue to support ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ as it continues to inspire Filipinos with the valuable lesson that in the end, good will always triumph over evil,” the statement read.

ABS-CBN assured the DILG that Martin’s character, Cardo Dalisay, will continue to be portrayed as a police officer with integrity who is dedicated to serve and protect the people.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde took exception to the show’s fictional PNP chief, Alejandro Ternate, portrayed by actor Soliman Cruz.

In the series, Ternate is a lackey of the president, Lucas Cabrera, played by actor Edu Manzano, who gives illegal orders to his subordinates.

The PNP withdrew its support for the TV series which, included the use of police camps, vehicles and police officers in scenes.

Speaking to reporters at the end of Wednesday’s meeting, DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the government never imposed anything on the show’s producers.

The PNP and the show’s producers of the show will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) next week.

Among those that will be tackled in the MOU is the use of police uniforms in the series, Malaya said.

“There will be an MOU because from the very beginning, the two sides never had an MOU,” he said.