ABS-CBN correspondent Chiara Zambrano recently received a plaque of recognition for her bravery. She and her team were driven by Chinese coast guards as they attempt to gather information about reports of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the turmoil-filled waters of Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, recognized the journalistic efforts of Zambrano. Sobejana also stressed that the military force of the country acknowledges the role of journalism in raising public awareness of issues.
The award was shared by the reporter over her twitter account which garnered applause from celebrities, Netizens, and fellow journalists as they too commended the courage of Zambrano for approaching the disputed waters.
Fellow Kapamilya correspondent Karen Davila lauded Zambrano and her team. Davila even encouraged her colleague to continue what she is doing—informing the Filipino people.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Chiara and team! Stay strong and thank you for being such an inspiration to us all 🇵🇭
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) April 14, 2021
Recently, Zambrano received backlash from the AFP as she got blamed for being chased by Chinese vessels off the Ayungin Shoal.
That is why in another tweet, Davila thanked Sobejana for recognizing the efforts of her fellow journalist and doing the right thing.
Thank you for doing the right thing AFP Chief Gen Sobejana! Bravo to @chiarazambrano and team, an inspiration to us all 🇵🇭 https://t.co/ur4cXZwoIH
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) April 14, 2021
Lawyer Nico Valderrama reiterated the AFP’s statement that Zambrano did nothing wrong.
Valderrama also took the liberty to throw some shade as he wrote, “She (Zambrano) did her job, unlike some who are in power.”
The ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES has spoken. @chiarazambrano did NOTHING WRONG. Her bravery should be celebrated. She did her job, unlike some who are in power.
Salamat, Chiara. https://t.co/W4ASNDRtDZ
— Nico B. Valderrama (@nbvneverquits) April 14, 2021
TV host Kiko Rustia clapped back at the reporter’s haters. With the AFP finally acknowledging Zambrano and her team, it is evident that the correspondent is only doing her job as a journalist.
What was it that the plagiarizing writer and all the other traitors say again? They shouldn't have been there?
Well..
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) April 14, 2021
AFP chief has spoken. https://t.co/JN2z1wVU9N
— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) April 14, 2021
Ano nga ulit sabi… pasaway ka daw? Hehehe 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Congratulations 😃
Kudos also to Gen. Sobejana, saludo sir. https://t.co/fShewxw3oo— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) April 14, 2021
Meanwhile, twitter personality La Butangera congratulated Zambrano as she received the plaque for her outstanding bravery for fearless coverage.
Congratulations sa isa sa mga pinaka magiting na Pilipina♥️@chiarazambrano
— ToniSpeakeasy 🇵🇭 (@ToniSpeakEasy) April 14, 2021
Columnist Noemi Dado and Kapamilya journalist Dyan Castillejo lauded Zambrano and her team for their bravery, earning them a plaque from AFP.
Chiara and your team Super bravo !! You make us proud . #inspired
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) April 14, 2021
Congrats .
— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) April 14, 2021
A twitter personality named Nico Quejano referenced the iconic hair flip of Pinky Webb as an expression for Zambrano’s efforts being honored by the one who criticized her—AFP.
*hair flip* https://t.co/yoAIuoG3lR
— Nico Quejano (@nicoquejano) April 14, 2021
Chiara Zambrano made headlines as she and her team via a Filipino vessel traveled near Palawan’s mainland.
She revealed in her tweet that their objective was to check the status of Filipino fisherfolk–who got driven out by Chinese vessels in their fishing grounds.
This was the story we set out to tell, shot a day before the Chinese Navy missile boats & China Coast Guard ship drove us out.
We wanted to see through the eyes of Filipino fishers, and that was precisely what happened.https://t.co/Yk3QqHpFXq
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) April 14, 2021
Nardin, a fisherman, whom Zambrona interviewed, revealed that this aggression of China was not new. He experienced being driven out of the Union Banks 10 years ago.
Nardin was last there some 10 years ago and experienced the same.
(How did you feel when you saw this happen?)
I was afraid, of course. We just went away. Now we just stay here, going around these areas.— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) April 14, 2021
Nardin was last there some 10 years ago and experienced the same.
(How did you feel when you saw this happen?)
I was afraid, of course. We just went away. Now we just stay here, going around these areas.— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) April 14, 2021
On Tuesday, April 13, Muntinlupa City Representative Rufino ‘Ruffy’ Biazon filed House Resolution No. 1707 in response to the recent harassment that Zambrano and her team received.
H.R. No. 1707 aims to strongly protest and condemn the harassment of Filipinos by China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
