AFAD head comments on news report

I write to you with regard to an article published in the Metro Section of The Philippine STAR last July 10, written by Mr. Edu Punay with the title “Another group questions PNP gun permit system.” May I state, for the record that I, nor anyone from our “group”  —  the Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealer or AFAD, did not grant any interview with Mr. Punay or any writer from your publication regarding the matter at hand.

Mr. Punay took the liberty of lifting part of a statement that I previously posted some 3 weeks back in my personal Facebook page as well as in AFAD’s public Facebook account. However, the writer made it appear that I was speaking exclusively for your paper, quoting even as far as “Dionisio told the STAR.” As a journalist, the responsible thing to do was for him to approach me for an interview, which I would have gladly agreed to. Instead, he ended up splicing my statements to connect with his expose on a certain  “Mr. Joseph Mendoza, code provider / IT consultant of the FEO,” which I, or AFAD have no knowledge of.

In the spirit of fair reporting, I would like to appeal that your publication set this record straight. —  JETHRO T. DIONISIO, AFAD president