Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Sunday that megastar Sharon Cuneta has conveyed her intent to file a criminal complaint against a man who posted on social media his alleged threat to rape her controversial 19-year-old daughter, Simone Francesca Emmanuelle “Frankie” Pangilinan.
This developed as the Gabriela Women’s Partylist has aired its support to Frankie.
“Gabriela Women’s Party fully stands with Frankie ‘Kakie’ Pangilinan amid the slew of troll hate speech and even rape threat she is receiving for criticizing the Duterte administration,” Gabriela said in a statement.
“No one deserves to be threatened with sexual violence for merely voicing out political beliefs,” the group said.
“Rape is a serious criminal offense, and hence should never be used casually under any circumstance,” said Gabriela.
Gabriela also blamed President Rodrigo Duterte for supposedly influencing “bigotry and macho-fascism.”
Frankie Pangilinan made headlines this week for criticizing a police station and TV host Ben Tulfo for implying that rape was a consequence of women wearing scanty clothing.
Her reaction drew support from netizens but one of the most recent responses was from a man who publicly threatened to assault the 19-year-old.
Guevarra said Cuneta has brought the matter to his attention and has a “strong desire” to file appropriate charges against the person who reportedly posted on social media his threat to rape Frankie, her daughter with Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“Ms. Sharon Cuneta has brought this matter to my attention and has expressed her strong desire to file a criminal complaint against the person who posted the offending message in social media. I advised her that the identity of the person and his location should first be clearly established,” Guevarra said, in a text message.
According to the Justice Secretary, the information that would be gathered and verified by Cuneta could be used in locating the whereabouts of the suspect and in sending the notice, to inform him that a case has been filed against him.
“It appears that Sharon, through her own efforts, has identified the person concerned, including his location and the name and address of his employer,” Guevarra said.
“Should Ms. Cuneta proceed to file a criminal complaint with the DOJ, we shall verify the respondent’s identity and address for the purpose of giving him notice,” he added.
Apparently, Guevarra and Cuneta have been friends since 1992.
Cuneta was infuriated when she found out the online posts of a certain “Sonny Alcos” whose real name, based on some reports, is “Sonny Co”.
Co reportedly posted on his social media account the following message: “Pasalamat ka iha, kung ang edad ko 12 yrs. Magtago ka na sa tatay mong Senador Kiko Matsing Pangilinan dahil hahanapin kita para gahasain. Tapos sisihin mo tatay mo. Dahil hindi ako makukulong.”
According to Cuneta, such a post shows that there are still devils in this world.
“HAHANAPIN KITA. I. WILL. FIND. YOU. YOU FACE ME, YOU COWARD. DUWAG. TANDAAN MO KUNG SINO AKO. NANAY NI KC, FRANKIE, MIEL, AT MIGUEL. YOU CROSSED THE LINE. GOD HELP ME AND THE LAW! GOD HELP YOU WHEN I FIND YOU,” Cuneta in her riposte.