Sandro Muhlach on alleged sexual abuse: 'Habang buhay ko dadalhin ito'
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of rape and sexual harassment.
Sandro Muhlach expressed how traumatized he is after seeing the CCTV footage showing his condition before and after the alleged sexual harassment he experienced from GMA Network's independent contractors, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.
On his Instagram stories, the actor reshared a post containing screenshots of the footage released by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as well as a quote from one of its investigators saying the video is "consistent" with the agency's findings that the actor had a "traumatic" experience.
"Habang buhay ko dadalhin ito. Dalawa kayo at isa lang ako. I will never be the same again," Muhlach lamented.
"Some people can never comprehend how hard it is to be in this traumatic situation. Luring someone will never be a consent to abuse," he added.
The CCTV footage captured on July 21 showed Muhlach exiting his hotel room at 4:39 a.m. and crossing the street towards a neighboring hotel. After going up the elevator, he entered the room where Cruz and Nones were staying.
At 5:24 a.m., a hotel attendant was seen leavinh the room after serving drinks to the guests. It wasn't until 6:46 a.m. that Muhlach left the place and returned to his own hotel room.
Explaining what had happened to 24 Oras, the Sparkle artist claimed, "'Yan po 'yung time na pumunta ako sa kanila. After po lahat nung nangyari, hindi po ako mapakali, hilong hilo po ako, sobrang sakit po ng katawan ko, kaya napaupo po ako sa floor."
"Hindi ko pa po alam kung anong dapat kong gawin, kung magsusumbong po ba ako sa pulis, or kung lalapit po ba ako sa pamilya ko. Naunahan na po kasi ako ng hiya at takot, kaya sinumbong ko po muna sa mga kaibigan ko," he continued.
Nones and Cruz have yet to give a reaction to the footage, but according to a report from 24 Oras on Aug. 22, the lawyer representing them said that they still haven't seen the videos.
Muhlach's case is currently being discussed in the Senate as lawmakers are probing the alleged incidents of sexual harassment happening in the local entertainment industry.
During the hearings, he recounted being allegedly pressured to ingest drugs. He said he was allegedly assaulted while he was in a weakened state, but this was later denied by Nones.
The local star has filed a rape complaint against Nones and Cruz before the Department of Justice (DOJ). His lawyer, Atty. Czarina Raz, said that the complaint indicates rape through sexual assault and several acts of lasciviousness.
"The evidence is strong. We have the evidence that we need. We will get the justice Sandro deserves," Raz said in an interview.
The two contractors have submitted counter-affidavits and appeared before the NBI with their legal counsels. The DOJ is now reviewing the case.
