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TikTok duo Chuck and Joe, whose complete names are Chuck Aquino and Joe Abad, are currently in hot water after their viral condiment prank left a sour taste in restaurant owners' mouths.

Source: @eboymnl (Twitter)

A TikTok video of Chuck and Joe recently went viral, where they asked for additional servings of a Japanese restaurant's togarashi powder and secretly transferred it into another container.

One of them then sneaked the container filled with togarashi powder into a paper bag and walked out of the restaurant acting innocent and not making any eye contact.

I mean-- 🤢 pic.twitter.com/rzfQSmzuHQ

-- good boy ◡̈ (@eboymnl) February 2, 2021

The said viral video has prompted a group of restaurant owners in the Philippines to call out what they consider as an act of theft.

A Facebook group of restaurant owners named Resto PH issued a statement regarding the matter.

Part of the statement on FB reads, “We are deeply concerned and saddened by the irresponsible Tiktok video posted by the influencers known as Chuck and Joe.

“Our members have expressed outrage and disappointment over this video, which may encourage others, especially impressionable youth, to emulate the prank.

“We wish it to be made clear that we consider what they did as a form of theft; and once promoted on social media, theft no longer becomes petty.”

The group also emphasized on the negative effects that the said prank may have on the local food industry.

“Restaurant losses are not casual matters to be used for a 'social experiment.'

“The restrictions of the quarantine have already caused many restaurants to close, and many more are struggling to survive.

“Malicious videos set a negative example and will have an adverse effect on the thousands of people who rely on the F&B industry for their security.”

They ended their statement with a plea to Chuck and Joe and other content creators.

“We, the members of RestoPH, appreciate influencers' contributions, but the quest for 'views' and 'hits' must be balanced with integrity.

“May we also enjoin other social media personalities to avoid creating content that clearly disrespects an industry and its workers.

“We are hopeful of the public's support, as these kinds of acts should not be emulated for virality and 'comedy.'

“And to the influencers involved: if you truly regret what you have done, we ask you to please delete the offensive video, as a sincere sign of respect for the community you have harmed.”

As of this writing, Chuck and Joe seemed to have deleted the infamous video from their TikTok feed or was set to private.

They have also uploaded a new video, where they apologized and explained their intention for creating such content.

“Ineencourage po namin kayo na huwag magtapon at huwag magsayang.”

“Actually hindi naman po siya considered stealing o pagnanakaw dahil wala naman po kaming inuwi na hindi binigay sa amin.

"Gayunpaman, humihingi po kami ng pasensya kung hindi po naging malinaw 'yong humor po ng video namin, na naging dahilan po upang masaktan or ma-offend po 'yong iba.”

Chuck and Joe currently have over 260,000 followers on TikTok and the said viral condiment prank video has garnered 2.5 million views before being taken down or set to private.

“Ineencourage po namin kayo na huwag magtapon at huwag magsayang.”

“Actually hindi naman po siya considered stealing o pagnanakaw dahil wala naman po kaming inuwi na hindi binigay sa amin.”

NON-APOLOGY. It's really the ugly ones... 🤢 pic.twitter.com/haDGVXUl91

-- good boy ◡̈ (@eboymnl) February 2, 2021

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