OFW denies bashing Baguio, Igorots on Facebook

ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Posted at 04/26/2012 3:10 PM | Updated as of 04/26/2012 3:10 PM

 

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino based in Italy who became a victim of identify theft on social networking site Facebook has come forward to clear his name.

Louie Garcia’s name was a hot topic at the height of the controversial issue of felling of trees in SM Baguio City.

This, after the overseas Filipino worker in Salerno allegedly posted several cruel comments on Facebook like “dapat putulin ang mga puno sa Baguio City para magkaroon ng landslide at mamatay ang mga Igorot”.

“Hindi po ako yung taong iyon. May gumamit lang po ng pangalan ko at picture ko. Hindi ko po iyon magagawa kasi alangan naman pong sirain ko yung sarili ko at yung seguridad ng pamilya ko sa Pilipinas,” he said.

The Facebook comment was aired by TV Patrol Baguio last April 19. Garcia has since earned criticisms and even threats because of the damaging comments.

He said the issue has caused him so much worry that he sought the help of his employer and the Philippine Embassy.

“Pumunta po ako sa ambasciata ng Roma para linawin na hindi ako yun. Humihingi rin po ako ng tulong sa awtoridad sa atin na ma-trace po kung sino man ang gumawa niyon kasi wala po akong idea, wala naman po akong kaaway,” he added.

Garcia’s girlfriend, Abegail Cayaban, asked for understanding from those affected by the issue.

“Humihingi rin po ako ng pang unawa sa mga taong naapektuhan hindi lang po sa taga Baguio, pati po lahat ng Igorot, sana po maintindihan ninyo na hindi po talaga si Louie yun. Sana po tulungan ninyo po kami na ma-trace kung sino po talaga yung tao na gumawa nun para hindi na po maulit sa simpleng taong katulad naming,” Cayaban said.

The couple believes that jealousy could be a reason because the controversy happened while they were arranging their wedding documents.

“Sa mga gumawa po nun siguro masayang-masaya ka na ngayon kasi nagtagumpay ka pero hindi naman lahat ng masama ay nagtatagumpay,” Garcia said.

“Hindi ko alam kung sino ka pero susubukan namin lahat talaga. Hihingi kami ng tulong sa awtoridad kahit sinong taong puwedeng tumulong sa amin para ma trace ka kasi talagang malaking sagabal sa buhay, problema, sa pamilya yung seguridad namin ngayon kita mo naman dami nagagalit sa amin,” Cayaban said.

The embassy reminded Filipinos who are using social networking sites to be careful.

“Nananawagan ho ako sa taong may pakana nito na sana ay maghunos-dili kayo dahil buhay po ng tao at kanyang reputasyon ang nasisira po sa inyong ginagawa maging biro man ito o maging sinasadya ay sana po ay huwag nyo na itong gagawin,” said Atty. Jarie Osias, Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Rome. Report from Diego Evangelista, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau