Angelle De Leon
Amid the coronavirus scare, ABS-CBN Network mistakenly announced a “lockdown” in Metro Manila on Thursday, March 12.
In a statement, the news bureau of the Kapamilya network admitted mistakenly posting a “draft art card” on its social media, stating that Metro Manila is under lockdown due to the 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
“Nakatakdang humarap sa sangbayanan si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ngayong Huwebes ng gabi sa gitna ng pagdami ng kaso ng COVID-19,” the ABS-CBN wrote as a caption to the draft photo it uploaded.
However, the image stated another thought: “President Duterte places Metro Manila under lockdown due to COVID-19.”
https://twitter.com/ser_prinz/status/1238031826507067392?s=19
Netizens, who saw the post before it was deleted, had mixed reactions.
Many Pinoys got worried believing that the post was true, while some did not easily believe on it.
After it was taken down, ABS-CBN immediately issued an explanation and apologized regarding the matter.
“At 5:11 p.m. today, ABS-CBN News inadvertently posted a draft art card on the COVID-19 situation while preparing for possible scenarios,” the Kapamilya network said in a statement.
“There remains to be no declaration of a lockdown in Metro Manila as of this time. We deeply regret the error,” it added.
The network further noted that it would institute “disciplinary measures against personnel involved in the erroneous posting.”
The big difference:@ABSCBNNews acknowledges, apologizes for, and corrects mistakes. People’s trust kept and earned.
Mocha Uson unapologetically makes and spreads mistakes and disinformation. For Duterte.
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) March 12, 2020
Uson is a “langaw na nakatungtong sa kalabaw”.
She thinks she could out-Duterte the sabog na Presidente.
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) March 12, 2020
Later that night, the president ordered the imposition of a “community quarantine” in Metro Manila for at least 30 days to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19 in the country.
“For Manila, we don’t want to use that because we fear lockdown, but it’s a lockdown” he said. “There is no struggle of power here. It’s just a matter of protecting and defending you from COVID-19.”
