AFP spokesman, netizens engage in Twitter war over Sueselbeck
MANILA, Philippines–The spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines engaged in a Twitter war with netizens Sunday night, posting statements that supposedly “rubbed salt into the wounds” of Marc Sueselbeck, the German fiance of slain Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, earned the ire of some netizens after his supposedly insensitive post pertaining to Sueselbeck, who was supposed to fly to Kuala Lumpur after paying his last respects to his slain fiance, but was prevented from leaving the Philippines on Sunday night after he was declared an “undesirable alien” by the Bureau of Immigration and slapped with a “legal matter” to settle.
Last week Sueselbeck tried to enter the detention center of Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspected killer of Laude, at Camp Aguinaldo. The German climbed the fence and shoved a soldier manning the area.
Sueselbeck apologized several times and the AFP accepted them. But as for the military’s spokesman the apologies were not enough. He said Sueselbeck still has to face the consequences of his actions.
Earlier Laude’s legal counsel, Atty. Harry Roque, said “Marc has apologized and AFP has accepted. Matter is closed. Preventing his departure today was cruel to one who is already down and out.”
Article continues after this advertisementSueselbeck also issued the following statement shortly before he was prevented from departing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport:
Article continues after this advertisement“I understand I was perceived by Philippine military officials as having pushed a soldier in a violent manner. It certainly was not an assault. I could not immediately stop my forward movement but video footage from any of the media covering that event can prove that I never aggressively attacked any soldier. I merely wanted to reach Marilou, make sure she was safe, and join her in asking questions,”
“I have an appeal to Philippine authorities. I lost my future wife Jennifer in the worst imaginable way. I hope you will allow me to grieve, return and visit her grave in the future. I am not a threat to your country or your citizens. I have no negative records in Germany or elsewhere.”
Media reports also said that Sueselbeck fainted after he was stopped by the immigration.
The military official (@HaroldCabunoc94) gamely answered comments from some Twitter users. Here are some parts of the tense Twitter exchange:
Hindi sapat na rason ang "nadadala sa emosyon" para lumabag sa mga batas at regulasyon. Dapat maging aral ito sa lahat.
— Ranger Cabunzky (@HaroldCabunoc94) October 26, 2014
Suporta naman ang AFP sa panawagan ng mga Laude na makamit ang hustisya at maparusahan ang may sala. Pero, panatiliin natin ang rule of law.
— Ranger Cabunzky (@HaroldCabunoc94) October 26, 2014
@ANCALERTS @HaroldCabunoc94 and that statement of yours is rubbing salt into the wound.
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) October 26, 2014
@lyndajumilla The BI is merely doing its job. I am not in the position to explain their actions. :-)
— Ranger Cabunzky (@HaroldCabunoc94) October 26, 2014
@HaroldCabunoc94 but i'm not questioning your moves; just your statements which could be a little more tempered w compassion
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) October 26, 2014
@HaroldCabunoc94 we know what happened and that's not my point.
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) October 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/HaroldCabunoc94/status/526342100372054017
@junpasaylo @lyndajumilla We have accepted his apology but the CSAFP wants the foreign intrudet to face the consequences of his actions.
— Ranger Cabunzky (@HaroldCabunoc94) October 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/HaroldCabunoc94/status/526345770509672448
https://twitter.com/HaroldCabunoc94/status/526348063627935746
@junpasaylo Do you think it is again our job to control human migration? Inilalayo mo naman ang topic eh. Rule of law lang gusto namin.
— Ranger Cabunzky (@HaroldCabunoc94) October 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/junpasaylo/status/526387661213138944
https://twitter.com/junpasaylo/status/526379236081152001
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