Journalist Erwin Tulfo finally released a statement after several days of being silent on the issue between him and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista.
In his statement titled “Living and working dangerously, as always” Tulfo again apologized to the retired General and narrated how the issue affected not only his life but also the lives of his relatives.
According to him, he faced an untouchable man in the Duterte administration, which is considered as a famous General and Mindanao war hero.
He also narrated that his family already received enough criticisms that could be compared to the badmouthing he did to Bautista.
“I have, along with my entire family, received just as much badmouthing from Sec. Bautista’s friends and supporters as I had verbally offended the honorable Secretary for which I readily apologized. I am truly sorry but whether or not I’m forgiven is beyond me.” Tulfo said.
Tulfo mentioned that during his job as a journalist, he already faced scalawag cops and soldiers and other powerful personalities who did a wrong thing.
He also said that he’s considering himself as a “nobody” who only help the poor people.
“The Tulfo brothers are no bigshots by any stretch of imagination. Boses lang po kami ng mga inapi at ng mga nakaligtaan sa lipunan,” he said.
“WE ARE NO HEROES. However, we can’t just simply turn our back to those who ask for our help because were taught by our parents to stand up and fight for those who are weak and helpless. And for decades we have committed to rendering that kind of public service in our small way, though it will not earn an epitaph at Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he added.
“Indeed, It’s a dangerous country for hard-hitting journalists, as it is for cops and soldiers but we’ve got a lot of work to do to make this country a better place to live for everyone,”
Tulfo made a statement several days after Sec. Bautista asked the journalist to donate in 19 groups connected to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prove that he’s already regretting his actions committed on May 28.