Following the criticism it received, distributors of the controversial American action thriller film Plane have voluntarily “pulled out” the movie in local cinemas, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) confirmed on Thursday, Feb. 23.  

During the Committee of Public Information and Mass Media’s hearing held Thursday, MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio said Plane will no longer be exhibited in Philippine cinemas as it was already withdrawn by its producers.  

“When we saw and found out that our good Senators have concerns, we immediately talked to our distributors. Our agency gave an official statement from our board members who reviewed [the film],” said Sotto-Antonio in Filipino.

“While we were in the process, [the distributors] voluntarily pulled out the film,” she added.

This was after Filipino Senators raised their concerns, saying that the movie is “offensive to the name and integrity” of the nation. 

Plane was released in January 2023. In the movie, plane passengers found themselves in a “war zone” after their pilot made an emergency landing on a war-torn territory which was later revealed to be Jolo Island in the Philippines. 

Senator Robinhood Padilla who presided over the Senate hearing stressed that they are not pushing for censorship. 

“We are not against free and creative art, but we are on the side of intelligent viewing against unacceptable media. This includes what I worry about the most — the damage to the reputation and dignity of the Philippines.”