Group demands public apology from MMDA's Pialago over 'insensitive, callous' remark on Baby River

Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns has joined the groups denouncing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago for her controversial statement regarding the death of Baby River Nacino, daughter of detained activity Reina Mae Nacino.

In a statement, Salinlahi said Pialago should publicly apologize for saying that symphatizers have been making a "drama serye" out of the infant's death -- a remark that the group said is "insensitive and callous."

"The statement of Ms. Pialogo demonstrates the systematic and continuing effort of the Duterte administration in inflicting further pain and suffering to Reina and to those who mourn over the death of Baby River," the group said.

"Aside from the fact that it’s not within the scope of her mandate, such remark lacks respect and shows the unbecoming of a public official," it added.

In a Facebook post, Pialago told the public to stop sympathizing with Baby River's mother, Reina Mae Nasino, who was given only six hours to attend her three-month-old firstborn’s wake and burial by a Manila court.

“‘Yung mga sumisimpatya kay Reina Mae Nasino, pag-aralan niyo mabuti ang dahilan bakit siya nakulong at kilalanin niyong mabuti kung sino siya sa lipunan. Masyado ninyong ginagawang pang drama serye sa hapon ang paghihinagpis niya. Tigilan niyo!" Pialago said.

She said it was her personal opinion as a Filipino citizen even as she published the post on her public page bearing her title of MMDA spokesperson.

Aside from calling for a public apology, Salinlahi said Pialago should also take down her post "and refrain from issuing statements that would add insult to the injury of Nasino family."

"At the same time, we encourage her to make use of her time in addressing transport and traffic woes," Salinlahi said.

GMA News Online has already reached out to Pialago for her comment, but she has yet to respond as of posting time.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) had earlier said it would never wish the “horrible tragedy” that befell mother and daughter Nacino upon anyone, its president Edre Olalia said Sunday following Pialago's post.

“We assure the good Asec (assistant secretary) that we will do the same thing if she was in Ina's position and circumstance,” Olalia said in a response.

“To start with, we will never ever wish this horrible tragedy and injustice to visit the Asec, her mother, her daughters, her sisters and her aunts,” he added. —KBK, GMA News