MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said there’s nothing wrong with the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) press freedom caravan in Europe as long as the government funds are properly accounted for. ADVERTISEMENT The President also emphasized his office’s need for a “propaganda division” in defending the controversial European trip. The caravan, however, prompted several lawmakers to question its real intention. Sen. Grace Poe said there’s no need for the PCOO to organize such a caravan just to explain Ressa’s arrest, saying it should simply let the court decide on the case. READ: Palace backs Andanar on ‘press freedom caravan’ to EuropeMalacañang, for its part, said the trip was “meaningful and fruitful” and had “nothing to do” with the arrest of Ressa.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 22, 2019 12:45 UTC