The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has recognized the concern of Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Congressman Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong regarding the depiction of Muslim characters in the program, "Batang Quiapo".
"It is mindful that discriminatory and offensive portrayals of Filipino Muslims harm our Muslim brothers and sisters and also runs counter to the call of President Marcos, Jr. for national unity," the statement signed by MTRCB Chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” G. Sotto-Antonio read.
The MTRCB assured that it is working on institutionalizing television and motion picture guidelines/policies that are responsive to the cultural and religious sensitivities of Filipino Muslim viewers.
According to the MTRCB, CM Film Productions, the production company behind the TV series, has apologized to the agency and committed to closely coordinate with the MTRCB to ensure similar incidents are avoided in the future.
"Nevertheless, it will also be issuing a notice to the networks concerned to ensure that depictions of Filipino Muslims in their programs honor the culture, society, and special values of Islam and the Filipino Muslim community," they ended.
CM Films also also released a statement.
It read: "Nais naming humingi ng taos-pusong paumanhin sa mga manonood lalo a sa mga miyembro ng Muslim community na nasaktan sa isang eksena ng "PPJ's Batang Quiapo" na umere noong Pebrero 14.
"Nauunawaan namin ang mga nagpahayag ng opinyon at damdamin tungkol dito at sinisiguro namin na walang masamang intensyon ang programa na diskriminahin, saktan o ilarawan ang ating mga kababayang Muslim sa negatibong paraan.
"Nangangako rin kaming maging sensitibo sa paghahatid namin ng kwento ni Tanggol at ng kanyang komunidad sa teleserye."