PTV sorry for wrong photo in Philippine Navy report

MANILA - State-run People's Television network apologized on Tuesday for using wrong photos in a video report about the supposed plan by the government to send a Philippine Navy ship to rescue Filipinos abducted in Libya.

PTV earlier drew flak from social media users after Facebook page MaxDefense Philippines pointed out that the photo used does not show a Philippine Navy ship, but a Chinese Navy ship. The post has been shared by over a thousand netizens.

In a Facebook post, PTV said the photos used in the program "Ulat Bayan" last Sunday were downloaded from the internet by their video editor without verifying details about the image. The network said the editor has been given a sanction.

"Said photos were downloaded from the internet by an Ulat Bayan video editor. Please be advised that the video editor responsible for downloading and using the said photos without proper verification has already been sanctioned," the government TV station said.

PTV also warned their news producers and editors that similar mistakes in the future will not be tolerated. "Moving forward, we shall take more diligent measures to deliver straightforward and accurate news to the Filipino people," it stressed.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he mulls sending frigates to Libya to rescue the abducted Filipinos. But on Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte changed his mind and decided to send some of his Cabinet secretaries.

• No frigates, only Duterte secretaries to Libya - Palace