OTWOL apologizes to PNP anew over ‘offensive’ James Reid striptease scene

The group behind the ABS-CBN teleserye “On the Wings of Love” (OTWOL), which stars Nadine Lustre and James Reid, has apologized to the Philippine National Police (PNP) again over a scene which showed Reid’s character wearing a police uniform while stripping in front of Lustre’s character.

In a statement which was shown before the show’s opening billboard on Monday, Dreamscape’s Reicel Saguin said that the show had no intention of maligning or tarnishing the image of policemen.

READ: Cops furious at ‘disrespectful’ striptease of James Reid in ‘OTWOL’

“Mula po sa pamunuan ng ‘On the Wings Of Love’, Dreamscape, at ABS-CBN, kami ay humihingi ng taus-pusong paumanhin sa mga miyembro at pamunuan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) para sa eksena noong January 11, 2016 episode ng On the Wings Of Love kung saan ang karakter ni Clark ay pinakitang nagsasayaw sa bridal shower ni Leah habang nakasuot ng uniporme ng pulis.”

“Hindi po layunin ng programa na sirain ang imahe, o di kaya’y saktan ang damdamin, ng mga pulis at ng kanilang mga pamilya.

“Kasalukuyang kaming gumagawa ng mga hakbang upang ito’y hindi na mangyari muli. Tutulong po kami sa pagtaguyod ng positibong paglalarawan ng ating Pambansang Pulisya at kung kailangan, aktibong makikipag-ugnayan sa ganang ito sa Public Information Office (PIO) at Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) ng PNP,” the statement read.

(From the management of “On the Wings of Love”, Dreamscape and ABS-CBN, we ask for heartfelt forgiveness from the members and leaders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the scene aired on the January 11, 2016 episode of “On the Wings of Love” wherein Clark is shown dancing in Leah’s bridal shower while donning a police uniform.

It is not our program’s aim to tarnish the image or to hurt the feelings of the police or their families.

We are currently taking steps to prevent such incident from happening again. We shall help in promoting the positive portrayal of our national police force and, if needed, will actively coordinate with the Public Information Office (PIO) and the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) of the PNP on this matter.)

In Monday’s episode, Reid’s character was even scolded by a policeman for his unauthorized use of a police uniform. He then apologized to the policeman.

The apology was prompted by complaints from police officers who found the Reid’s striptease scene “offensive” and disrespectful.

READ: ‘OTWOL’ apologizes for striptease: ‘No intention to disrespect PNP’

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has earlier met with OTWOL’s executives and PNP officials to address the controversy.

In a letter dated January 26, the MTRCB said that OTWOL’s showrunners voluntarily agreed to issue an apology addressed to the PNP and the public not later than February 1, 2016 and to feature a scene in the show which will emphasize respect due to the office and uniform of a PNP officer. AJH

READ: MTRCB probes ‘disrespectful’ James Reid striptease in ‘OTWOL’