Dolly de Leon urges release of filmmaker Jade Castro, companions

(From left) Dolly de Leon and Jade Castro. Images: Instagram/@dollyedeleon, Facebook/Jade Castro

Dolly de Leon joined the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI), and other nonprofit organizations in calling for the release of filmmaker Jade Castro and his companions over suspected arson.

De Leon looked back at her past encounters with Castro on her Instagram page on Friday, Feb. 16, as she described him as a “warm” person who can make anyone around him feel comfortable.

The post also contained a fundraising call for the filmmaker and his companions, which also mirrored director Erik Matti’s earlier post on Facebook.

“Wala tayong photo together na nasa kin, wala tayong messages exchanged between each other pero tuwing nagkikita tayo sa mga ganap, mga play, pelikula at kung anumang paandar meron sa world, lagi akong masaya pag nakikita kita,” she said.

“Kasi ang gaang gaang ng pakiramdam ko sa ‘yo. Laging warm ang approach mo sa kin — dating dati pa,” she further added.

(We don’t have a photo together on my end. We don’t have any messages exchanged between each other. But when we meet at events, plays, movies, and anything else, I’m always happy to see you. Because you’re easy to be around. You always approached me warmly even before.)

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The actress expressed hope that Castro would be freed, saying she wanted to work with the filmmaker on a future project. “All our mutual friends have nothing but good words to say about you.”

“And because of that and my own experience with you, I know you’re one of the good people we’re lucky enough to have in this crazy world. Kelan ba kita makakatrabaho?” she continued. “Sana soon. Uwi ka na please. Pauwiin nyo na si Jade. Please.”

Castro, civil engineers Noel Mariano and Dominic Ramos, and sales manager Ernesto Orcine were detained on Feb. 1 after they were suspected of allegedly burning down an electric jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon Province.

The filmmaker, however, appealed for him and his companions to be freed from detention, citing the incident as a “warrantless arrest.” He also said that they were arrested while they were supposed to be on vacation at the Mi Casa Resort.