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ABS-CBN reporter Chiara Zambrano received a plaque of recognition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after her coverage of the West Philippine Sea where she and her crew were chased by Chinese vessels on April 8.
On Twitter, Zambrano posted a photo of her and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, together with the plaque.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines through Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana recognized the journalistic efforts in ABS-CBN’s coverage of the West Philippine Sea. Sobejana says they acknowledge the role of journalism in raising public awareness of issues,” the journalist wrote.
The plaque, signed by Sobejana, is given in recognition of Zambrano’s support and participation in pursuit of AFP’s mandate to uphold the sovereign rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
“In her faithful commitment to the tenets of responsible journalism, she has raised public awareness and patriotism on the recent sovereign incursions by Chinese Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines,” the plaque read.
In contrast to Sobejana’s recognition, AFP Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgardo Arevalo earlier called on journalists to “exercise prudence” in coverage of the West Philippine Sea.
"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," Arevalo said in a statement on April 9.
This was met with criticism from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
“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 group said in its statement.
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