Frankie Pangilinan seeks focus on ‘real cases of sexual assault and rape’ as NBI probes rape threat
Frankie Pangilinan is the daughter of actress Sharon Cuneta and Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Image: Instagram/@frankiepangilinan
After the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) began probing the rape threat against Frankie Pangilinan, the musician said her case should not take precedence over anyone else’s, especially those that are “more grave” than hers.
“[I] had no idea about that NBI cr*p,” Pangilinan said in a tweet yesterday, June 22. “[I]t’s really upsetting me if one vile tweet against me is more important to them than several real cases of sexual assault and rape.”
anyway before i rest i had no idea about that NBI crap and it’s really upsetting me if one vile tweet against me is more important to them than several real cases of sexual assault and rape. i’ll dig deeper in the morning.
— kakie like jackie (@kakiep83) June 22, 2020
NBI began its investigation after Pangilinan’s mother, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, vowed to track down and sue the netizen who threatened to rape her daughter. The man identified as Sonny Alcos allegedly said in a social media comment that he would rape the 19-year-old Pangilinan if he were younger. NBI Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo confirmed that there has been a directive for them to look into the issue.
The threat came after the musician caused a stir on social media for speaking up against rape culture and creating the hashtag #HijaAko, which has given women an avenue to fight victim-blaming by sharing their stories of sexual harassment and rape.
“[I’m] deeply sorry for the injustice,” she added in a follow-up tweet. “[This] whole thing got so much bigger than [I] ever intended it to.”
The musician said the threat was something that “hurt me briefly and that was it.” She emphasized that “it shouldn’t take precedence over anyone else’s cases, most especially those more grave, and [I] truly hate that it might.”
i’m deeply sorry for the injustice. this whole thing got so much bigger than i ever intended it to. it was something that hurt me briefly and that was it. it shouldn’t take precedence over anyone else’s cases, most especially those more grave, and i truly hate that it might.
— kakie like jackie (@kakiep83) June 22, 2020
She then apologized and promised that she will “fix” the matter.
i’m so so so sorry this is exactly what i was so worried about i’ll fix it i promise
— kakie like jackie (@kakiep83) June 22, 2020
Pangilinan clarified why the attention her case is getting is causing her distress. Replying to a Twitter user, the young activist said that #HijaAko “should be bringing attention to and highlighting all cases, not just whenever it concerns me personally or anyone else privileged.”
it should be bringing attention to and highlighting ALL cases, not just whenever it concerns me personally or anyone else privileged. this is what i meant. i promise to fix it. i’ll do all i can.
— kakie like jackie (@kakiep83) June 22, 2020
A few days after #HijaAko took off, Pangilinan announced via Twitter on June 17 that she will be turning the movement into a “greater advocacy.”
“[While] the brainstorming is imminent, [I] think it’s more important right now to take the time to hear from all the people who were brave enough to share their stories,” she said.
been asked a few times now if i’ll be pushing the #HijaAko movement into a greater advocacy. while the brainstorming is imminent, i think it’s more important right now to take the time to hear from all the people who were brave enough to share their stories.
— kakie like jackie (@kakiep83) June 17, 2020
According to the chief of NBI’s cybercrime division, the threat against Pangilinan could be a case of light threat or unjust vexation, which is punishable by 12 years under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. NVG
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