Mon Confiado files cybercrime complaint vs content creator

Mon Confiado. Image: Facebook/Mon Confiado

Mon Confiado is in fighting form as he filed a criminal case against a content creator named Ileiad, days after he called out the latter for making up an encounter between them in a grocery store.

On his Facebook page on Monday, August 12, Confiado lodged a complaint against Ileiad, reportedly known as Jeff Jacinto, at an NBI Cybercrime Division branch. He said his complaint should serve as a lesson to Ileiad.

The actor earlier made headlines after Ileiad claimed on Facebook that Confiado allegedly didn’t pay for the 15 chocolate bars he bought and was rude to a cashier staff. This claim was immediately debunked by the “Senior High” star hours later.

“Dear Mr. Jeff Leanneroie Bonilla Jacinto alias Ileiad, nawa’y maging aral sa iyo ito at sa ating lahat. Na ang paggamit ng pangalan at larawan ng walang pahintulot ay krimen. Na hindi lahat ng jokes ay nakakatawa at hindi lahat ng jokes ay para sa lahat. Dapat sana ang joke ay nakakapagpasaya at hindi nakakasira ng tao,” he said.

(Dear Mr. Jeff Leanneroie Bonilla Jacinto alias Ileiad, I hope this will serve as a lesson to you and everyone. Using someone’s name and image without consent is a crime. Not all jokes are funny and for everyone. Jokes are supposed to make people happy and not ruin others.)

Confiado stressed that he’s someone who would never get involved in petty fights, saying he “quietly” fulfills his job as an actor. “Ako ay isang tahimik na tao. Never na nasangkot sa kahit isa o anumang mang gulo sa buong buhay ko.”

“Wala ako ni isang kaaway o nakaaway man lang. Ako ay tahimik na nagtratrabaho lamang bilang aktor,” he continued. “At bilang aktor, ang aking pangalan ay aking pinagkaka ingat-ingatan dahil ito ang aking puhunan para ako ay makakuha ng trabaho. Ngunit ako ay nagulat dahil biglang direktang ginamit mo ang aking pangalan at larawan ng walang pasintabi sa isang joke na tinatawag niyong ‘copypaste.’ Ang problema… kahit ito ay isang joke o ‘meme’ lamang, hindi pamilyar ang lahat ng tao dito at ito ay ipinost mo sa Facebook.”

(I’m a quiet person. I was never involved in any squabble throughout my life. I never had an enemy or was ever involved in petty fights. I quietly fulfilled my job as an actor. As an actor, I ensure my name is protected as it helps me do my job well. However, I was shocked when you used my name and image for a joke that you referred to as a “copypasta.” The problem is that even though it’s just a joke or meme, not everyone is familiar with these kinds of Facebook posts.)

‘Insincere apology’

Confiado also pointed out that people tend to believe such posts on social media, which could affect possible projects, endorsements, and a “brand ambassador” role for a brand.

“Alam mo naman ang mga tao ay napakadaling maniwala sa mga ganyang posts. Siyempre ang ilan dyan ay maniniwala at ire-repost agad dahil katulad mo ay gusto lang din makakuha ng mga likes kahit may masagasaan. Ako ay may mga ginagawang pelikula, may mga endorsements at may on-going na transaction para maging ‘brand ambassador’ ng isang produkto,” he said.

“Paano kung dahil sa maling pagkakaintindi sa joke mo ay maapektuhan ang aking mga trabaho? Dapat ba ay tumahimik lang ako? Dapat ba ako pa ang mag adjust at pabayaan ko na lang at huwag na ako mag react?” added Confiado.

(You know that some tend to believe these kinds of posts easily. Of course, many would believe and repost it for likes even if someone will get affected. I’m working on films, endorsements, and an ongoing transaction for a brand ambassadorship deal of a product. What if this joke might affect my job? Should I keep quiet? Do I have to adjust, let it go, and choose not to react?)

Confiado also accused the content creator of responding properly to his initial call-out, while adding that despite the latter’s public apology, it appeared to be “insincere” as his claim wasn’t taken down from Facebook immediately.

“Mr. Jeff Jacinto, uulitin ko, ako ay nananahimik at ginulo mo. Pero nung nag comment ako sa post mo at sa messenger mo, sinabihan mo pa ako ng ‘is this a threat?’ Hindi mo pa din ito tinanggal hanggang kinabukasan ng gabi,” he said. “Oo. Nag public apology ka kunwari later on pero sarcastic at hindi sincere. At wala ni katiting na pagsisisi at proud ka pa sa ginawa mo. At ginagawa niyo pa akong katatawanan ng mga followers mo. At ngayon ikaw na ang biktima at ako na ang masama.”

(Mr. Jeff Jacinto, I will repeat myself — I kept quiet but you messed with me. But when I commented on your post and messaged you, you responded with “Is this a threat?” You haven’t removed your post until the following night. Yes, you made a public apology but later, it turned out to be sarcastic and insincere. You didn’t seem to regret your actions. You’re even proud of what you’ve done. You made a joke out of me to your followers. And you now made yourself as the victim and me in the wrong.)

Confiado further said that his cybercrime complaint is not a “joke” while pointing out that the content creator needs to take the matter “seriously.”

Jacinto has yet to address Confiado’s legal complaint, as of press time. His Facebook page appears to be taken down from the site as well.