Animal cruelty complaint against ‘Oro’ production team dismissed

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on Friday expressed disappointment over the dismissal of the animal cruelty complaint they filed against the production team of the film "Oro."

"Today, we received a copy of the Resolution of Pasig City Assistant Prosecutor John Y. Ong dismissing the PAWS Complaint versus the 'Oro' movie director and producers Alvin Yapan, Jane Gonzales, Mark Shandi Bacolod and Arriane Dulay for violation of Section 9 of RA 8485," the organization said in a statement published on their official social media pages. 

The movie, a retelling of the Gata 4 Massacre, included a graphic scene of a dog being slaughtered.

Responding to online outcry, PAWS reviewed the film and upon learning that it was not simulated as was earlier believed, believed the production team to be in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. 

"PAWS firmly believes that there is probable cause to hold these people criminally liable for violation for the act of making business out of cruelty to an animal and will pursue its legal remedies to reverse the above resolution," the statement continued. 

The organization noted that Yapan and the rest of the respondents have admitted that a dog was indeed slaughtered on set.

The producers of the film told GMA News Online that they will release a statement as soon as they receive a copy of the decision from their lawyers.  — Aya Tantiangco/RSJ, GMA News