MTRCB bans ‘Chasing Tuna in the Ocean’ over controversial nine-dash line scenes
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has banned China’s documentary film Chasing Tuna in the Ocean from premiering in the Philippines over its controversial nine-dash line scenes in the South China Sea.
The film has been tagged with an “X” rating, categorizing it as “not for public exhibition,” the review board decided on Thursday, March 21.
This comes after thorough consideration during the First Review, with chairperson Lala Sotto saying that the nine-dash line scene “symbolizes China’s territorial claim over the South China Sea.”
She added that the scene is “considered an attack against the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines and is violative of Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 (PD No. 1986).”
“The MTRCB will continue to exercise its powers and prerogatives consistent with its mandate, and as Filipinos, we shall not tolerate any content that undermines the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines,” Sotto stressed.
“As it stands, ‘Chasing Tuna in the Ocean’ won’t be exhibited in the Philippines,” they said, adding that producers can apply for a second review, provided that they submit a revised material without the controversial scenes.
“This serves as a reminder to producers to conform with MTRCB standards,” she stressed.
Chasing Tuna in the Ocean is a documentary that puts a spotlight on the fishermen’s hardships in fishing for tuna in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the three films produced by local filmmakers this year with the theme of highlighting Chinese sea laborers.