MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar claimed no public funds were wasted in the trip, which he said was necessary to clarify some issues confronting the government. "Rest assured no public funds are wasted in this official mission which came about from a directive from the National Security Council," Andanar said in a statement Monday. In any case, it is just natural for me to instruct the PCOO officials in Europe to answer possible queries about Ms. Ressa," Andanar said. Andanar said PCOO found it an opportune time to bring the press freedom caravan in Brussels and Geneva to "maximize" the official trip. READ: Pangilinan questions PCOO’s ‘press freedom caravan’ in Europe

Source: Philippine Star February 18, 2019 12:48 UTC