Pinoy tourist claims discrimination at establishment near Kalibo airport

A post by Facebook user Phoenix Rising (real name Ryan Layug) went viral over the weekend, detailing discriminatory treatment he allegedly received at a Korean-run establishment near the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan.

According to Layug, he was denied entry to a VIP lounge, with a member of staff telling him that only Koreans are allowed in the establishment.

"First time ko yata makaranas ng discrimination sa sarili kong bansa at sinasabi mo yan sa kapwa mo Pilipino," Layug purportedly told the lounge's staff.

The outraged Layug left the area, but was advised by locals at a carenderia where he vented to report the incident to the police.

Layug said that after the police intervened, the manager of the lounge apologized to Layug and offered him  free accommodation and food—both of which he declined.

"I am Ryan Layug, a soldier, a Filipino, I am returning to duty in Mindanao after my New Year's Leave. I am a bit worried that I might be reprimanded of this post but as a soldier I defend democracy, and I will defend my fellow Filipinos on the face of discrimination. this country has no room for Discrimination," he wrote in his post, adding, "I pity the lady staff, she has to decline Filipinos because she has to retain her job."

In his original post, Layug identified the establishment as the Discover Boracay Hotel & Spa + Airport Lounge. However, in its own statement on Facebook, Discovery Boracay Hotel noted that the establishment that allegedly turned Layug away is a different entity that is renting space in the building.

Layug also clarified in a later post that it was not Discovery Boracay, but a "Korean Restaurant and VIP Lounge" that refused him service. He apologized to Discovery Boracay for the misidentification.

In response to the attention Layug's story attracted on social media, the Kalibo International Airport also made a clarification on its Facebook page, stating that the privately-run Discovery Boracay Hotel and Spa's services are not exclusive to any nationality. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News