With the recent killings of Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony by Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, is the portrayal of policemen in TV shows inaccurate?
Director Antoinette Jadaone took to Twitter her thoughts regarding the PNP’s recent scandal. In her post, she recalled how the police called out the show FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano for showing that all cops were evil.
naalala ko lang nung nagalit ang PNP sa Probinsyano dahil ang sama raw ng portrayal sa mga pulis 🤔
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) December 21, 2020
Last 2018, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde called out the producers of ‘Ang Probinsyano’ to refrain from portraying the Chief PNP as an evil character. This was also supported by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
“I support the move of Chief PNP Albayalde to call the attention of the producers, staff of the teleserye, na huwag namang masyadong pasamain ang chief PNP. Kasi nagpipilit na nga sila to uplift yung morale ng mga tao, yung kanilang credibility,” said Lacson.
Senator Grace Poe defended such representation of the police that the TV series is purely fictional.
“The story emanates from the source material, with bits of twists. There are antagonists in the story, which did not only include the police, but many others,” said Poe.
She also added, “How the people view the police is based on the actions of the real police they see on the streets, and not on the acting of fictional cops they watch on screen.”
However, with the recent acts of police brutality, it seemed that the depiction of the action series was correct.
A Twitter user conceptualized the role of the media as the mirror of reality. He also added that PNP is afraid to see their own reflection on TV shows.
Salamin ang midya at sadyang takot lamang ang PNP sa sarili nitong repleksyon.
— . (@davidduls) December 21, 2020
The Philippines maybe is the only country where the police cries foul for their depiction in TV shows and movies. But with everything that is going on, it is pretty accurate and their representation by the media is better than they actually are in real life for they are far worse.
