MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Friday criticized media reports that likened approaching Typhoon "Ruby" to Typhoon "Yolanda."
In his speech during at the Bulong Pulungan Christmas party, Aquino pointed out that one of the major newspapers on Wednesday described Ruby in its headline as "Yolanda-like."
"I was concerned with such a statement, and I had to ask (Science) Secretary (Mario) Montejo to confirm this information; and up until yesterday at the NDRRMC briefing, there was no indication or official analysis predicting that Ruby would be Yolanda-like in strength," Aquino said.
"At best, if Ruby struck, its strength would be more comparable to Pablo," he added.
Aquino reminded the media that Yolanda's maximum winds based on some reports were pegged at about 300 kilometers per hour, way higher than Ruby's.
The President urged the media to be accurate in its reporting.
"One has to ask: What was the basis of such speculation, and don't we all agree that in reporting, we must always get the facts right, the angle right, and the news right, if we are to truly inform our people?" he said.