The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB) sanctioned a local FM radio station and two of its radio anchors due to their controversial interview with a minor rape victim.
Brigada News FM anchors Atty. Juril Patino and Dennes Tabar went live on March 10 and interviewed a 4-year-old girl who was a victim of sexual abuse.
According to Cebu Daily News, the child was still inside the police station when the interview was conducted. The anchors connected with her via phone of Jonalyn Jumabis, one of Brigada News' field reporters.
The interview was broadcasted on the radio and the Brigada News FM livestream.
Meanwhile, CCAIB Chairman Lucelle Mercado said a public apology would be aired on local FM radio station's program and posted on its social media page.
The board summoned Patino, Tabar, and Jumabis on March 19 after receiving the complaint.
Meanwhile, in a statement on March 21, Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her "aghast" on the said issue.
"As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, I take great offense at the re-traumatization they caused a 4-year-old girl," Hontiveros said.
"The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas code of ethics ascertains their mistake. Sa katunayan, hindi natin kailangan maging mamahayag para makita na napakamali ng ginawa nila," she added.
The senator called on concerned government agencies to investigate the issue while making sure that the child would not be harmed.
