'Tao lang din ako': Jam Ignacio issues public apology to Jellie Aw following assault allegations

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of physical assault.

Jam Ignacio broke his silence over a week after his fiancée, DJ Jellie Aw, accused him of physically assaulting her.

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Jam explained how their “simple misunderstanding” turned into a bigger fight between them.

“Sa simpleng hindi pagkakaunawaan, may halo na rin sigurong pagod sa maghapon na lakad namin... kumbaga, tao lang din siguro ako, kumbaga, baka napuno lang din siguro ako na hindi ko sinasabi na tama, pero hindi ko para i-tolerate na gawin ulit,” he told the outlet.

He then apologized to Jellie and her family for what happened.

“Humihingi ako ng tawad. Pasensya na talaga, sorry sa lahat,” he said. “Sa mga kapatid, sa mga kaibigan, dito ako haharap sa inyo. Humaharap na humihingi ng taos-puso na sorry. Sorry, sobrang sorry, lalo na sa mommy ni Jellie. Ma, sorry, ma. Alam niyo 'yan na mahal na mahal ko si Jellie.” 

“Hon, alam mo ‘yan gaano kita ka-mahal, alam mo ‘yan gaano kita protektahan, bantayan, sa lahat ng ginagawa mo lagi ako naka-suporta sa ‘yo,” he added. “Sorry sa mga nangyari.” 

He also asked his fiancée to settle the issue privately as he promised that he won't commit the same mistakes again.

“Pinapangako ko sa 'yo na hindi na mauulit 'to and then sana bigyan mo ng pagkakataon na ayusin natin 'tong pareho nang pribado na sa 'ting dalawa. Alam ko naman na alam mo din na mahal natin ang isa't isa. Madami tayong gustong gawin at pangarap na sana maayos natin at matupad natin,” Jam said, adding that he still wants to continue their dream of building a family. 

“Alam mo na gusto ko ikaw na 'yung makasama ko talaga. Alam mo' yan na may plano tayo bumuo ng pamilya. Tuparin natin, hon. Nagmamakaawa ako sa 'yo, sana ayusin natin 'to,” he continued. “Sobrang sorry, hindi na mauulit, pangako ko ‘yan sa ‘yo.” 

Assault allegations

Jellie took to her social media pages early morning of Wednesday, Feb. 12 to share photos of her swollen and bruised-up face after allegedly being beaten by Jam.

Her sister, Jo Aw, detailed the incident, saying Jam suddenly beat up Jellie in a locked car. 

She added that Jellie was only able to ask for help when they were at a toll gate. Jellie then got a medical checkup before they filed a police report. 

The National Bureau of Investigation said on Feb. 17 that it had issued a subpoena to Jam following Jellie’s formal complaint.

Jellie had earlier said that she’s open to forgiving Jam but would still want him to face the legal consequences, especially since it has caused her trauma. 

"Madali lang naman magpatawad eh. Pero 'yung ginawa niya sa'kin, hindi ko makakalimutan 'yun. Iba 'yung trauma eh. Ang hirap matulog, lagi kong naaalala 'yung ginawa niya sa'kin," she previously said.  

"So gusto ko lang, Jam, na harapin mo 'yung ginawa mo sa'kin. 'Yun lang, para hindi mo na magawa sa ibang babae," she continued.  

The two got engaged in November last year after four months of dating.