Position Statement on Oro
The Friends for the Protection of Animals are opposed to the use of any animal for the purposes of entertainment, labor, experimentation, or as captive exhibits. We believe in their natural born rights to freedom and an unencumbered life, rights that are no less valuable or unalienable as our rights as humans.
In this light, we condemn the bludgeoning death of a dog, perhaps two as alleged by an insider, for dramatic purposes in the film, Oro. We abhor the insensitivity of the cast and crew whose apathy to an animal's suffering, coupled with their desire for personal glory and industry recognition, moved us to ponder just how deep can human depravity sink. We question their responsibility to decency and compassion which evidently they heeded to cinematic expediency. Reported responses to the press reveal that there was never any compunction to do so.
We consider the killings to be a violation of the Animal Welfare Act which prohibits cruel and exploitative acts upon animals. We hold the cast and crew, particularly decision-makers like Alvin Yapan, Director, and Mark Shandii Bacolod, Producer, responsible for the animal cruelty.
The Friends for the Protection of Animals support the efforts of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to bring these individuals to court. We will provide any assistance we can muster. We encourage all those who witnessed, or know any information, tangentially or directly, to offer their assistance to PAWS as well.
Animal welfare is not only your government, an NGO's, or someone else's responsibility. Animal welfare is everybody's business.
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