PNP challenges US comedian to visit country to see situation

May 20, 2019

Philippine National Police (PNP) General Oscar Albayalde on Monday challenged comedian Hasan Minhaj of the political-satire show “Patriot Act” to visit the country to prove their joke on the administration’s war on illegal drugs is not true.

In a press briefing, the PNP chief said this is why other countries have a misconception on what is happening here.

“That's why we challenge these people to come here to our country and see for themselves what is the situation on the peace and order and situation on the war on illegal drugs,” he said.

Albayalde said although they respect Hasan's jokes it is still unfair for the administration and to those working hard to be portrayed like that.

“This is unfair for our administration, for those who are working here in the Philippines to portray our country (like that) in other countries. That’s why there is a misinterpretation or misconception that our country is disorderly,” he said.

“We hope that they go here, although we respect that it’s only a joke… but of course they still need to be responsible in their jokes,” he added

Though the release of the episode is very timely, Albayalde said it did not give any impact to the Filipino voters as candidates of the administration received overwhelming results during the midterm elections.

“The people have already spoken showed on the overwhelming results for the candidates of the administration particularly on the Senators. We saw that Filipinos... really trust the President. They really trust this administration,” he said.

Hasan described the administration’s war on drugs as “brutal” and “ineffective”.

He also mentioned the administration bets, saying if Filipinos voted for them it means they are consigning President Rodrigo Duterte’s “bloody” drug war until 2022. Ella Dionisio/DMS