Gerald Santos. Image: Facebook/Rommel Ramilo (Santos’ manager)
Gerald Santos revealed that there were other victims who allegedly experienced sexual abuse at the hands of former GMA musical director Danny Tan, with the singer urging them to speak up and take action.
Santos made this revelation through a vlog on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, Aug. 28. This came a day after he disclosed the identity of Tan as his alleged abuser at the Senate hearing investigating sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.
“Pinangalanan ko na po ang taong umabuso sa akin. Siya po ay si Mr. Danny Tan,” Santos said. “Nung pinangalanan ko po siya kahapon, ako po ay gulat na gulat dahil may mga nag-message po sa akin na mga ilan niya rin pong nabiktima.”
“Ang kinagulantang ko po ay meron din po na mas bata pa sa akin nung naganap po ang pang-aabuso. Grabe po,” he lamented.
Santos, who earlier stated that he was sexually abused in 2005 when he was just 15 years old, then stressed that he is not in the position to speak about the other victims’ experiences.
“Siguro langit na po ang gumagawa ng paraan para mapanagot o mapatigil ang ginagawang kasamaan nitong taong ito,” he added.
Santos also likened the recent coming forward of sexual abuse victims in the Philippine entertainment industry to the beginning of the #MeToo movement in the United States.
Addressing other alleged victims, Santos urged, “Panahon na. This is the time. Lumabas na kayong lahat.”
Legal action vs Tan
During his vlog, Santos also spoke about the next legal steps that he will take against Tan.
The singer further noted that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is part of the Senate hearing and was earlier criticized for his “harsh and insensitive” manner toward Santos, personally called him and offered legal assistance and protection.
Santos thanked GMA as well for taking action, albeit unbeknown to the singer at the time, on the issue. He added that he is still waiting for the copy of the official result of the investigation from the network.
“Habang inaaral po namin ang aming case buildup ng aking legal counsel, back to normal po muna ako sa aking first love which is ang singing and acting,” he stated, adding that his projects have been lined up for him even before he spoke up on the alleged abuse.
Concluding his vlog, Santos once again addressed other sexual-abuse victims and said, “Ito pong kaso ko ay sana magsilbing inspirasyon sa inyong lahat na hindi pa huli ang lahat para humingi ng hustisya.”