Gerald Santos reveals name of musical director who allegedly abused him 19 years ago
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.
Singer Gerald Santos has now publicly named the musical director who allegedly abused him when he was just 15 years old.
As discussions in the Senate continue regarding the apparent incidents of sexual harassment happening in the entertainment industry, Santos has identified Danny Tan as the person who allegedly molested him almost two decades ago.
"Ngayon po ay handa ko ng harapin ang tunay kong kalaban. Ang nanghalay at umabokso sa akin noon ako po ay 15 years old pa lamang. Si Mr. Danny Tan," Santos said as he read his statement.
"Napakahirap po na balikan at sariwain ang mga pangyayari sa akin labing siyam na taon na po ang nakakaraan. Ito po ay mental, psychological, at emotional torture. Ang pangyayari po kay Sandro Muhlach ang muling nagdala at nagparamdam sa'kin ng sakit na dinanas ko rin sa sitwasyong kinapalooban noong Dec. 25, 2005 at Dec. 26, 2005," he recounted.
The singer and actor turned emotional as he disclosed that he struggled with suicidal thoughts, but chose to persevere for the sake of his family.
"Sa gulang po na 15 years old ay naranasan ko ang pinakamapait na maaring maranasan ng isang bata, pero dahil po sa aking narundog na pangarap na maihaon ng aking pamilya sa kahirapan ay pinilit ko pong kalimutan ang pangyayaring ito sa aking puso at isipan," he said.
"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 continued.
Santos explained that it took him five years to file a complaint on the incident in 2010 because he was still struggling to gather enough courage and mental fortitude to speak out.
"Bilang 15 years old, ako po ay mahina. Walang kalaban-laban, walang magagawa, walang kilala. Ako po ay isang mahirap lamang," he said.
Because of this, the local star appealed to lawmakers to strengthen laws against sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape, especially male rape.
"Mas mahaba pong prescription period po sana dahil ang mga biktima po ay may iba't-ibang kapasidad at kakayahan para lumantad," Santos urged.
"Para naman po sa mga kumpanya, korporasyon, o organizations ay alagaan po natin sana lalo yung mga biktima na nagsusumbong sa inyo at nang sa gayun po ay magkaroon talaga sila ng ibayong lakas ng loob para isiwalat ang kasamaan," he added.
Santos, a former GMA talent, expressed relief after finding out that the network took action on his complaint in the past and dismissed his perpetrator.
However, he stressed, "Kung sana lamang po ay napagbigyan ang aming pormal na kahilingan noong Feb. 28, 2011 na kami ay maabisuhan man lamang po sa naging resulta ng imbestigasyon ng GMA ay maaaring noon pa po ay nagkaroon nagkalakas ng loob na kami at nakapag-file ng kaso sa tamang hukuman."
He is now requesting a copy of the results of GMA's investigation to help him with the current issue.
Santos also apologized to the network for any negative reaction against them from the public after he revived the incident during the Senate hearings.
"Hiling ko po na ito po ay finally magkaroon na po ng closure. I apologize po kung naging mapaghanap po ako sa network. Ako po ay isang bata lamang noon na may matawag na pangarap," he said.
"Ang GMA po ang aking itinuring na tahanan, sandigan at pader ng mga panahon yun. Uulitin ko po na hindi po akong makikilala at magkakapangalam po sa industriya kung wala po ang GMA At until now, proud po ako na ako po ay minsan ay naging kapuso," he added.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Tan and GMA Network for comments on the issue but has yet to receive a reply.
The hearings began after 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. (with reports from Cecille Suerte Felipe)