CLARK FREEPORT -- A former councilor of San Simon town in Pampanga has said that he now fears for his life after his photo was posted on social media.
Melchor Santillan Tayag, who is also a former environment officer of the town, said the photo posted on the Facebook page of broadcaster Erwin Tulfo identified him as Erwin Chua, the owner of Real Steel Corporation located in said town, who was earlier accused of maltreatment and illegal detention of his employees.
During a press conference inside this freeport on Saturday, the former town official lamented that he is now being bashed by netizens because of the "wrong photo."
"I have been receiving threats and bad words from netizens because of the irresponsible reporting by Mr. Tulfo," Tayag said in Pampango.
The former municipal councilor said that even his family members suffer from sleepless nights because of the issue.
"Kahit yung mga kapatid ko siyempre nagwo-worry sila. Kung maraming galit na tao at mapagkamalan ako, puwede ako yariin," he claimed.
Tayag said he is planning to file cyber libel charges against the broadcaster and other individuals who allegedly maligned and put him in a bad light.
"Narito po ako para i-klaro sa mga taong nag-message sa akin. Sa picture pa lang na ito isinumpa na ako, e. Gusto ko rin sabihin kay Mr. Tulfo na sana ay maging responsable siya sa pagbabalita," Tayag told the Pampanga-based newsmen.
The former local official said the photo posted by Tulfo was taken almost three years ago during his term as an environment officer in the town.
"Matagal na ang photo na ito, nagtataka ako kung paano ito napunta sa kanila. Itong kuwarto na ito [sa photo], akala ng ibang tao sa Real Steel. Ang kuarto na ito ay yung session hall ng munisipyo hindi sa Real Steel," Tayag said.
He complained that the Facebook post made it appear that he is the Chinese owner of the steel manufacturing plant.
"'Nung una hindi ko pinapansin dahil inisip ko baka nagkamali lang pero nung huling post nila binilugan na ako sa picture na parang ako talaga si Erwin Chua," Tayag said.
Officials, who accompanied Tayag during the press conference, denied the accusations against Chua saying all of their workers numbering to more than 500 are free to go out of the plant.
They added no criminal charges were filed against the steel firm's owner in connection with false accusations.