Whistleblowers confirm ‘Oro’ dog slaughter scene–PETA Asia
An animal rights group has called on the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive committee to stop showing the film “Oro” and revoke its awards due to its controversial dog slaughter scene.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia on Tuesday said whistleblowers involved in the production of the film who requested anonymity “came forward to confirm that the controversial dog slaughter scene was in fact real.”
“Whether or not the dog slaughter scene was intentionally staged or a dog was coincidentally slaughtered at the location of the movie, the fact remains that the killing was illegal. Instead of watching a dog die slowly and after being beaten to death in front of their cameras, this crime could and should have been prevented,” PETA Asia said in a statement.
“Filmmakers exhibiting their work in last year’s MMFF are supposed to raise awareness about social injustices using their films, but Alvin Yapan, the director and writer, and Mark Shandii Bacolod, the producer of Oro condoned animal cruelty instead,” it added.
READ: ‘Oro’ sued over dog slaughter scene
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) had warned to press charges against the people behind the film for supposed violation of Republic Act No. 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act. But Yapan, the director, denied allegations that he ordered one of the actors to kill the dog, saying that it was a tradition in some far-flung provinces in the country.
READ: Hindi ako tanga: ‘Oro’ director denies dog slaughter allegation
Noting that “killing dogs is not entertainment,” PETA Asia called for a full investigation of the matter and “possible charges for the director and producer.”
In a letter to the MMFF executive committee, PAWS said the killing of dogs, even as part of tradition or custom, should be coordinated with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Committee on Animal Welfare. Filmmakers and the MMFF committee had agreed to edit out the controversial scene.
Sen. Grace Poe warned that Oro may lose its citation named after her late father–the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence–should the dog slaughter allegation be proven true. The lady senator has also called for a probe into the controversial scene. CDG
