Coco Martin Admits Lack of Knowledge About Muslim and Apologized to Robin Padilla

Actor Coco Martin apologized to Senator Robin Padilla over the controversial scene in “FPJs Batang Quiapo” about Muslim.

The actor and director personally apologized to the Senator for his popular Kapamilya teleserye’s harsh depiction of Muslims. After receiving complaints and criticism on social media channels, Coco apologized to the Muslim community.

Tanggol, Coco’s character, is shown snatching a necklace and escaping cops into a building populated by Muslims in the February 14 episode, which apparently offended several viewers. The Senator posted a video on Facebook indicating that Coco went to his office to apologize.

“Ako po ay humaharap sa inyo ngayong araw na ito upang magbigay ng pahayag patungkol po sa isang episode ng teleseryeng Batang Quiapo na ipinalabas noong ika-14 ng Pebrero, araw po ng Martes – na masasabi po nating tumawag sa atensyon ng ating mga kababayan, partikular na po sa komunidad naming mga Muslim,” Padilla said in a statement on Thursday, February 16.

“Nauunawaan ko pong nasaktan ang ating mga kapatid sa paglalarawan na tila ba kinikunsinte ng mga Muslim ang pagnanakaw ng karakter ni Tanggol. Kaalinsabay po nito ang naging paggamit ng mga relihiyosong imahe, katulad po ng Golden Mosque, adhan (ito po ang tawag sa pagdasal), at mga kasuotang ginagamit po sa pagdadasal ng isang Muslim,” he added.

The senator further highlighted that any type of stealing is a major sin in Islam, and that tolerating any thief is a sin. The senator is also confident that Coco has genuine intentions since he guarantees her good will.

The actor also stated that he is ignorant of Islam. That’s why Padilla urged people to quit criticizing the actor’s flaws and instead work together to overcome them.

“Mga mahal kong kapatid, ako na po ang naggagarantiya sa mabuting kalooban ni G. Coco Martin. At sigurado po akong wala siyang masamang intensyon kanino man. Inaamin po niya na kulang ang kanyang kaalaman sa Islam, kung kaya’t sa halip po na ating kutyain ang kanyang pagkukulang, ako na po ang nananawagan po sa inyo upang atin itong sama-samang bunuan.

He recognized that depicting Muslims consenting to a theft, as well as presenting religious motifs such as the Golden Mosque, adhan (call to prayer), and prayer robes, offended Muslims. Meanwhile, the Batang Quiapo producers have pledged to be “more sensitive” in their portrayal of various aspects of society, including pictures of culture, tradition, and religion.

“Sampu po ng mga bumubuo ng Batang Quiapo, sila naman po ay nangangako na mas magiging maingat at sensitibo sa pagsasalarawan ng mga sektor lalo’t higit po kung nakasalalay dito ang imahe ng kultura, tradisyon, at maging relihiyon.