Philippine Military Academy (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Association has issued an official statement condemning radio personality Erwin Tulfo over his “degrading remarks” against Social Welfare Secretary’s Rolando Joselito Bautista in one of the recent episodes of his program.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the words, actions and degrading remarks of Erwin Tulfo against DSWD Secretary and former Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Cavalier Rolando Bautista,” the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. said in a statement on Friday.
“Soldiers, active and retired, and honorary members will continue to stand by the Honorable Secretary whom Mr. Tulfo berated and dishonored publicly through his radio program “Tutok Tulfo,” it added.
Earlier this week, Tulfo berated Bautista on his radio program for failing to accept his urgent interview request.
“Tinatawagan ka namin para marining ng kababayang mahihirap ang stand ng mga mahihirap. Hindi yung sasabihan niyo kami na sumulat muna kayo five days before. Sino ka bang punyeta ka na kailangan ko pang sumulat sayo? Sagutin mo yung telepono mo dahil Secretary ka ng DSWD! Gustong marinig ng mga kababayan natin anong magagawa mo para sa kanila,” he said.
(We were calling you so our people will hear your stand on poverty. It’s not right that you require us to send you a letter five days before. Who do you think you are? Answer your telephone because you are the Secretary of the DSWD. Our countrymen would like to hear what you can do for them.)
His comments did not sit well with some active and retired soldiers who took their sentiments to Facebook to express their dislike for Tulfo.
“No matter what reason Mr. Tulfo had, it is not right to use such crude and offensive words against Sec. Bautista,” the alumni group said.
The PMA alumni statement came despite an apology from Tulfo aired earlier in the day in his show.
“I apologize doon sa excessive na ranting, ‘yung five minutes akong nagwawala. It’s uncalled for (I apologize for the excessive ranting. I was raging for five minutes. It’s uncalled for),” Tulfo said.
READ: Tulfo apologizes for ‘excessive’ berating of DSWD’s Bautista
“Mukhang balat-sibuyas yata si Sec. Bautista at hindi ma-take ‘yan at tinawagan pati mga kaibigan niya sa PMA. ‘Yung mga sinabi ko, ‘yung excessive, ‘yung sobra-sobra humihingi ako ng kapatawaran doon. Pero yung komentaryo ko na napuna ko siya hindi ako hihingi ng tawad,” he said.
(It appears the Sec. Bautista is sensitive and can’t take it that he even called his friends from the PMA. I am asking forgiveness for what I have said, the excessive rants. But for my commentary that I called him out, I will not say sorry for that.)
Bautista, a member of Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, retired as Army chief last October. A seasoned military commander fighting terrorist groups, he was the overall ground commander during the Marawi siege in 2017.
He was also the first commander of Presidential Security Group under President Rodrigo Duterte. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
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