Naglabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang produksyon ng “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” na naglalaman ng paumanhin sa Muslim community, dahil sa isang eksena na umere noong Martes, Pebrero 14.
"Nais naming humingi ng taos-pusong paumanhin sa mga manonood lalo na sa mga miyembro ng Muslim community na nasaktan sa isang eksena ng 'FPJ’s Batang Quiapo' na umere noong Pebrero 14," paunang sabi ng produksyon.
Binigyang-diin din na sinisiguro nilang walang masamang intensyon ang programa na diskriminahin o saktan ang mga Muslim.
"Nauunawaan namin ang mga nagpahayag ng opinyon at damdamin tungkol dito at sinisiguro namin na walang masamang intensyon ang programa na diskriminahin, saktan, o ilarawan ang ating mga kababayang Muslim sa negatibong paraan.
"Nangangako rin kaming maging sensitibo sa paghahatid namin ng kwento ni Tanggol at ng kanyang komunidad sa teleserye."
Ang trending na eksena ay nang hablutin ni Tanggol (Coco Martin) ang alahas ng isang babae sa harap ng Quiapo Church at siya ay hinabol ng mga pulis hanggang sa mapadpad ito sa bahay ng kaniyang kaibigang muslim, na ginagampanan ni Rez Cortez. Makikita rin sa naturang episode na armado ang mga Muslim na tila nakahandang labanan ang mga pulis.
Gayunman, hindi na tumuloy ang mga pulis na hulihin si Tanggol dahil mahirap daw pasukin ito.
Nang magkausap na ang karakter nina Coco at Rez, sinabi ng huli na ligtas daw roon si Tanggol at hindi aniya siya pababayaan.
Dahil sa eksenang ito, umalma si Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong, aniya hindi raw nila kinukunsinti ang mga magnanakaw.“This humble representation is disheartened by the recent episode of the Batang Quiapo series. In the episode, Muslim characters are depicted as harboring and condoning theft, under the pretext of using stolen goods to help others,” saad ni Adiong sa isang pahayag nitong Huwebes, Pebrero 16.
"Furthermore these same characters not only own guns, but have such a notorious reputation to police officers that the latter would give up the pursuit of a thief who has sought refuge with them. These are discriminatory, harmful, and derogatory portrayals of an entire community.
“As the representative of Lanao del Sur and a Bangsamoro Muslim, I am deeply saddened by this discriminating portrayal," dagdag pa niya.
Ibinahagi rin niya ang sinasabi ng Quran hinggil sa pagnanakaw, "It is crucial to note that Islam does not coddle theft and considers it a major sin. The Quran states in Chapter 5, verse 38: ‘As for the thief, male or female, cut off their hands. It is the recompense for what they have earned, exemplary punishment from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, Wise.’ Clearly theft even to benefit the less fortunate is not countenanced by Islam."
"We cannot abide by such acts which perpetuate harmful stereotypes that have no place in our society. The Muslim community is a diverse and vibrant group that has made significant contributions to the progress and development of our nation. To ignore this fact and portray us in a negative light is a disservice to our community’s long-standing presence in this country and to the values of respect and inclusivity that we should all strive to uphold," saad pa ni Adiong.
Hinihimok din niya ang produksyon ng naturang teleserye na muling isaalang-alang ang epekto at mensaheng hatid ng kanilang programa.
"We urge the creators of Batang Quiapo to reconsider the impact of their film and the message it sends to its viewers. In a time when the world is already grappling with hate speech and extremism, the last thing we need is a popular television show that adds fuel to the fire. We call upon them to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future," aniya.
Nanawagan din siya sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) na tingnan ang nangyaring insidente.
"We call upon the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and all concerned agencies to look into this incident. As for this representation, we will review, strengthen, and push forward legislative measures to address similar acts of discrimination in mass media and other streaming and digital platforms.
"We call upon all members of our society to reject hate and discrimination in all its forms and to work towards building a more peaceful and harmonious world for everyone."