The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was heavily criticized by a group of journalists after it supposedly put the blame on a television crew that was harassed by Chinese military vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) slammed the military after it released a statement cautioning journalists "to exercise prudence" in doing their jobs, including making voyage in the WPS.
"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?" the NUJP said in a statement Friday, April 9.
The issue stemmed from a chase down of a civilian motor banca carrying the crew of ABS-CBN, led by television reporter Chiara Zambrano, by two missile-attack craft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Coast Guard near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Reef) in Kalayaan, Palawan.
Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said in a statement that the military was "concerned" about the incident but added: "While we understand the journalists' insatiable desire to be ahead in reporting, we appeal to them to exercise prudence in the course of their job."
Instead of hitting the presence of journalists in the WPS, the NUJP said the AFP should be alarmed at the presence and hostile acts of Chinese vessels inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"An even more important question is what the Chinese military was doing in our waters and how the Duterte administration plans to address this incident," the NUJP stated.
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffiano "Ruffy" Biazon, senior vice chairman of the House national defense and security committee, also took a swipe at AFP for its lackluster reaction on China's acts in the country's territory.
"Instead of raising an issue of a journalist's 'insatiable desire to get ahead of reporting,' the AFP should be more concerned that Filipinos were harassed in their Area of Responsibility," Biazon said.
"There should be an insatiable desire to get ahead in defending Filipinos and Philippine rights," he added.
This reporter has reached out to Arevalo for a reaction but he has yet to respond.
The country has been protesting the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels believed to be manned by maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea and Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan.