• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Gabriela Women’s Partylist, Bacolod City councilors, and local media condemned a local radio anchor after he made a live, on-air rape joke targeted at a female reporter during a broadcast.
The incident occurred while K5 News FM Bacolod anchor Jean Paul Generoso was reporting on a child abuse case involving a father who physically harmed his daughter.
During the segment, the anchor repeatedly stated on-air that he would rape his female colleague so he could be detained in jail with the suspect of the news story.
Bacolod Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chair of the committee on Women, Gender, and Family, and Child Care, and the women’s group emphasized the Safe Spaces Act or the Republic Act No. 11313
Flor called on the public and media practitioners to exercise responsibility in their public statements and to maintain respect for women and children.
“This kind of behavior, especially from members of the media, has a serious impact on how society views violence against women. When rape is turned into a joke, it further silences and intimidates victims, deterring them from speaking out and filing complaints,” Gabriela said in a statement.
In addition, Councilor Jason Villarosa announced that the entire Sangguniang Panlungsod is backing a resolution authored by Flor to formalize the city government’s denunciation.
The measure is titled, “A resolution strongly condemning any statement, act, or public expression that normalizes, justifies, or makes light of rape, violence against women, and other forms of gender-based sexual harassment, and reaffirming the city government of Bacolod’s commitment to safe, respectful, and responsible public discourse.”
Villarosa noted that the situation serves as a stark reminder for individuals to carefully consider the impact of their words and actions before making public statements.
After the incident, Generoso issued a public apology for his inappropriate statement.
“I take full responsibility for my words. There is no excuse for this severe lapse in judgment. Rape is a heinous crime that causes profound, lasting trauma to victims and their families. I deeply regret that my thoughtless remark has caused pain, offense, and disappointment to survivors, their loved ones, and the listening public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Negros Press Club President Prime Tejida called out the act as irresponsible, unprofessional, and unbecoming of a media practitioner.
“I call on my fellow media practitioners to adhere to the standards of journalism, reflect on the values that we should be imparting to our audience, and create a safe space for our colleagues especially the women,” she said in a social media post.*
