Gerald Santos after naming alleged abuser: 'Ang luwag sa dibdib ko ngayon'
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.
Gerald Santos shared that he feels like a weight has been lifted after getting the courage to finally identify his alleged abuser.
On his Instagram account, the singer posted a picture of himself attending a recent Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing.
"Gusto ko lang po magpasalamat sa lahat ng message of encouragement at support niyo sa akin. Naaappreciate ko po ang lahat ng messages niyo, sadyang hindi ko lang masagot sa dami," Santos began.
He went on to share how relieved he was when he named musician Danny Tan as the musical director who molested him when he was just 15 years old.
"Ang luwag sa dibdib ko ngayon na aking pinangalanan na ang umabuso sa akin kanina sa Senado. Unti unti ay nakakamit ko na ang hustisya at dadalin nanamin ito sa hukuman," he wrote.
"Ang akin pong paglabas tungkol dito should not be a lost cause. Ito sana ay magsilbing inspirasyon sa lahat ng mga biktima ng sexual abuse na hindi ninyo kailangang matakot dahil now more than ever ay naaalis na ang stigma at pangmamata sa mga biktima ng ganitong karahasan," he continued.
Santos ended his post with a warning to sexual abusers: "Sa mga taong gumagawa ng hindi tama at inaabuso ang kanilang posisyon, bilang na ang mga araw ninyo. This is a stern warning sa inyo na walang lihim ang hindi mabubunyag!"
Many of his fans sent him words of encouragement in the comments section on his fight to achieve justice.
"We salute you for your courage Gerald! You're a model of bravery to our many survivors. May the truth prevail," one user wrote.
Another commented, "You’re going to get the justice you deserve. We support and pray for you always. Be safe and stay strong."
In his statement during the Senate hearing, Santos detailed the alleged abuse he experienced at the hands of Tan on Dec. 25 and 26, 2005. He disclosed that he struggled with suicidal thoughts, but chose to persevere for the sake of his family.
"Hindi po alam ng aking pamilya pero apat na beses po akong nag-isip na tapusin na ang aking buhay dahil sa matinding kahihiyan na maaari kong maranasan kapag nalaman ito ng lahat, dahil sa pandidiri ko sa sarili na ginawan ako ng ganito, dahil alam ko po sa sarili ko na wala akong magagawa at walang makikinig sa'kin," he said.
He appealed to lawmakers to strengthen laws against sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape, as well as to extend the prescription period for filing complaints against perpetrators.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Tan for comments on the issue but has yet to receive a reply.
The Senate hearings began after actor Sandro Muhlach alleged that he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of GMA Network's independent contractors, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz. He has since filed a rape case against them before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The two contractors have submitted counter-affidavits and appeared before the NBI with their legal counsels. The DOJ is now reviewing the case.