MMFF iimbestigahan dahil sa kinatay na aso sa pelikulang ‘Oro’

HUMIHIYAW ng hustisya ngayon ang Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sa pagkatay ng isang aso bilang bahagi ng pelikulang “Oro” na entry sa 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Nagsalita na rin si Sen. Grace Poe na imbestigahan ang isyung ito sa movie na ginawaran ng FPJ Memorial Award nu’ng Gabi ng Parangal.

Naglabas ng statement ang MMFF Executive Committee sa dalawang issues na ito matapos ang dialogue/inquiry na ginawa habang magkaharap ang Team Oro at PAWS group.

“1. The MMFF posed no obstacle to the participation of the film, further to the determination of the Selection Committee, on account of the film’s prior representation that no dog was actually killed in connection with the subject depiction.

“The MMFF Executive Committee takes this opportunity to strongly emphasize that it has not condone nor will ever condone any cruelty to animals. Neither will it allow the Festival to be the vehicle for any such actions.

“2. Oro, as expressed by director Alvin Yapan, has recognized the concerns raised by PAWS and has freely and voluntarily undertaking to immediately: (a) execute a written statement/disclaimer addressed to the general audience based on its above-mentioned prior representation as well as its commitment to uphold animal welfare and dignity in connection with the film; (b) come up with amended version of the film more in keeping with animal welfare; and (c) actively cooperate with PAWS toward and awareness campaign on animal welfare, without prejudice to its pursuit of public discussion in regard to other issues raised by the film.

“3. It is not within the competence of the MMFF Executive Committee to pass upon legal or evidentiary matters, especially those that go beyond the bare depictions in any participant film.
“The MMFF Executive Committee will nonetheless rely, as it always has, on the good faith behind all representations by the parties concerned. It has thus asked all participants to always observe goodwill and candor as regards all aspects of the festival.”

Heto naman ang tugon ng MMFF Execom sa pahayag ni Sen. Poe.

“The MMFF welcomes, with much respect, the call of Senator Grace Poe to look into the alleged canine killing in the course of filming of Oro, which was granted the FPJ Memorial Award in this year’s MMFF. As previously stated, the MMFF does not and will not condone any such wrongdoing or any misrepresentation in such regard.

“The MMFF in fact called both PAWS and the makers of ORO to an inquiry today. Even as the MMFF has been aware of actions to be undertaken by ORO in recognition of the concerns of PAWS, it is ready to cooperate with the relevant authorities in such regard.

“The MMFF will also monitor the undertakings made by the makers of ORO, without prejudice to its own evaluation of the representations made by Oro during the selection process, particularly insofar as its worthiness for the said memorial award is concerned.”

Ang ipinagtataka lang namin, dumaan sa Selection Committee, Cinema Evaluation Board at MTRCB ang panonood ng “Oro”. Naging bulag ba sila sa eksenang pagkatay ng aso sa movie? Ang dali naman nilang napaniwala na nilagyan lang ng prosthetics ‘yung kinatay na kambing para magmukhang aso, huh!

Ang isa pang ikinabahala namin, bakit kung kelan matatapos na ang showing ng “Oro” at saka umalma ang PAWS? They could have done it earlier para nabigyan agad ng aksyon ang reklamo nila.
Gayunpaman, a law was violated at dapat parusahan ang may sala!

Eh, kung ‘yung reklamo last year sa “Honor Thy Father” umabot pa sa Congressional hearing that led to the changes na ipinagmamalaki ngayon ng MMFF, aba, dapat may sanctions din ang mga taong sangkot sa kontrobersiyang ito, huh!

Sumama na rin ang mga artista nating pet lovers gaya nina Carla Abellana, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Heart Evangelista at iba pa upang mag-rally sa paghahanap ng hustisya sa pagkatay ng aso sa “Oro”!

Ayon nga sa isang legal maxim, “dura lex sed lex” o, “the law may be harsh but it’s still the law!”