Man in viral saliva video told to make public apology

CEBU, Philippines — Issue a public apology or go to jail.

Colonel Engelbert Soriano, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, made the stern warning to a man who was accused of spreading paint mixed with saliva during the Sinulog Grand Parade last Sunday.

“I would be glad to see him in jail or he, at least, do a public apology,” he said.

Soriano said the man’s action was a display of disrespect.

“Not only were those people he painted disrespected, but also the solemnity of the Sinulog. It was very insulting not only to those directly affected, but also to the people of Cebu City,” he said.

A video of the said man, who authorities say came from Danao City, went viral on social media.

The Danao City government, in a Facebook post yesterday afternoon, identified the man as Jayson John Tapales.

“The City Government of Danao is saddened by the involvement of a fellow-Danawanon to this shameful occurrence during the celebration of Sinulog 2020. We have verified the identity of the concerned person (man on viral Sinulog video) as Jayson John Tapales,” read the post.

Sinulog is an annual event that marks Cebuanos’ veneration to the Señor Santo Niño.

Tapales was caught on video spitting saliva onto his palm with face paint and wiping them on the faces of revelers who were passing by on Mango Avenue.

The city government said a joint committee hearing will be conducted today to tackle the issue.

The hearing will be led by Councilors Adano Roble and Edmund Lao, chairmen of the City Council’s committees on Peace and Order, Public Safety and Human Rights, and on Accountability, Complaints, and Investigation, respectively.

Tapales was summoned to attend the hearing. He received the notice at 3:45 p.m. yesterday.

Soriano has commended the initiative of the Danao local government in taking actions with regard to the incident.

He said his office is ready to provide investigators if the local government would request such. Also, he called on those affected and offended by the act to file legal actions against the man.

He said CCPO will assist them in the filing of a complaint, in the investigation, and in gathering of statements from witnesses.

“We are ready to provide assistance to the complainants,” he said.  KQD (FREEMAN)