'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' issues statement on #JusticeForKillua episode

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" has issued a statement regarding its episode about the slain dog Killua in Camarines Sur.

On Sunday, the TV show said in a statement posted in their social media accounts that they are aware of the reactions of some viewers.

"Nakarating sa aming kaalaman ang saloobin ng ilang manonood na nagsasabing binibigyang-katwiran ng aming ulat ang ginawang pagpatay sa asong si Killua. Mariin po namin itong pinabubulaanan," the statement read. "Kagaya ng iba naming mga report, kinuha namin ang salaysay ng fur parent ni Killua, ng tanod, at iba pang nakasaksi sa pangyayari, sa ngalan ng patas na pamamahayag."

"Binanggit din sa segment na hindi nararapat patayin ang aso kahit pa nakakagat ito at paparusahan ang mga lalabag sa Animal Welfare Act. Hinihikayat din ang lahat na maging responsableng dog owner," it added. "Naninindigan ang KMJS na kailanman walang puwang ang animal cruelty sa ating lipunan. Maraming salamat po."

Killua, a three-year-old Labrador retriever, was beaten to death by a neighbor in Bato, Camarines Sur.

Based on CCTV footage, Killua was seen jumping from their house's roof after scaling it past 5 a.m. on Sunday. The dog then allegedly attacked a resident, prompting the man to chase the dog and beat it to death. The man also claimed Killua bit his leg.

Following Killua's death, netizens and animal advocates cried justice for the dog with #JusticeForKillua trending on X (formerly Twitter) for days.

Previously, the Philippines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said the body of Killua has tested positive for the rabies virus.

However, PAWS said the rabies test results "may not be accurate due to the fact that the body had already been buried for five days prior to testing and may have been contaminated from being in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered."

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News