MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday is calling on ABS-CBN News to explain and apologize after the network mistakenly aired photos of him and his staff in a crime report on TV Patrol on Sunday, March 2.

In a statement, Tolentino said he “strongly condemns” the use of images showing him and his staff, who were wearing his campaign shirts, in a report about a shooting incident that wounded three people in Barangay Labangal, General Santos City.

The senator is also asking ABS-CBN to remove the news item from its website, YouTube, and Facebook pages.

“This is downright fake news! My staff and I had no involvement of whatever kind with the said crime. Intentional or not, this mistake could have been prevented if only ABS-CBN News verified the pictures. Observing due diligence is the primary responsibility of any media organization,” he said.

Tolentino said that the photos shown in the broadcast were taken at General Santos Airport last week when he was in the city for the Kalilangan Festival on February 27.

“Ironically, the Kalilangan Festival highlights peace and the unity of the people in GenSan,” he said.

Tolentino likewise said he plans to file a formal complaint with the Commission on Elections and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and is also considering legal action.

“I will officially file a complaint against them through the COMELEC and National Telecommunications Office. Legal action may also be considered,” he said.

“I call on them to take down the news report, explain, and apologize. If this act can be committed on a sitting senator, then what more for ordinary Filipinos? In today’s digital era, a moment of fake news can destroy a reputation built for a lifetime,” he said.

As of press time, ABS-CBN has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.