Anthony Taberna is NOT Victim Blaming

Anthony Taberna, one of the hosts of ABS-CBN's morning show was called to resign by netizens after an alleged victim blaming. During the airing of a news segment about a 19-year old rape victim Taberna said something about the victim and this statement seems to offend many people. Was Anthony Taberna really victim blaming?

Anthony Taberna is CLEARLY NOT VICTIM BLAMING

What did he actually say during the program? Let us recall it.

"Pasensiya na doon sa biktima, yun dapat mabigyan ng katarungan—pero ito, para sa future na pangyayari. Kapag ikaw ay babae, huwag kang papasok sa lungga ng mga tulisan.”

By this statement alone it is CLEAR and Taberna made a clarification that what he is saying is not for the victim which deserves justice but as a reminder so that in the future things like this will be minimized.

So in today's episode of @ukgdos, Anthony Taberna decided to victim-blame a woman who was gang raped. Oh, this man. I don't think I'm alone in thinking na hindi nakagaganda ng umaga - at ng buhay! - ang mga ganitong tao sa TV. To quote Ang Larawan, "Paalam, Candida!"
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) February 19, 2018

It seems that a netizen, Juan Miguel Severo, misunderstood this and took Taberna in the wrong context making it appear that the host blamed the victim. As a father myself and for fathers as well as parents, it is important to remind our children to be careful because the world is a dangerous place. There are tons of people who have all the bad intention.

Apparently, Taberna was so disgusted and angry about what happened prompting him to give the reminder. Why did he do it? It is simply because he finds it appropriate to remind people to be safe and avoid any untoward incident like this.

Cause and Effect of a Crime

I also found a post on an article by Spot.ph apparently from a tweet saying that "Victims Never Cause Rape, Rapists Do." This statement is true in all aspects BUT let us be REMINDED that there might be a CAUSE AS TO WHY THE RAPIST DID IT.

Reminder para kay Anthony Taberna!😡 pic.twitter.com/ib7oRzjTL0
— EliSi (@EliZi24) February 19, 2018

"Short skirts don't cause rape, rapists do"

Yes, but wouldn't this display affect the hormones and judgment of people? Let us be reminded that we are after all composed of body parts that react to certain stimuli.

"Drinking doesn't cause rape, rapists do."

Indeed, indeed but drinking causes a severe impairment of judgment. Those who had too much alcohol intake might do things that they would otherwise not do when sane.

"Flirting doesn't cause rape, rapists do."

Well in a way yes but why start flirting in the first place and create an uncomfortable environment? When you intend to flirt with someone, be very careful and be responsible.

FHM Lambasts Anthony Taberna

In a separate article, men's magazine FHM lambasts Taberna as well as his alleged victim blaming. This post added a bad light to what is supposed to be a caring warning by a parent. Netizens, however, commented that the magazine has no right to react on the issue since their publication theme is, in fact, one of the causes why some people resort to rape, so they alleged.

Anthony Taberna Apologizes

Host Anthony Taberna issues an apology clarifying his intention and his statements which in the first place is not really offensive. Here is part of the apology as posted in Rappler.

"Bilang isang ama po, lalo po’t parehong babae ang aking mga anak, e, batid ko na masama ang ating mundo at nandiyan lang po ang mga kriminal at mga utak-kriminal, Taberna said.

(As a father, especially since all my kids are girls, I know how evil the world has become, especially with so many criminals and would be criminals.)

"Naghihintay lang po ng kanilang mabibiktima. (They are just waiting for their next victim.)
Taberna said that prior to the report, he always said that he will never side with criminals. He also said he never meant to make it that it was the victim's fault.

"Ang paninindigan ko pong ito ay batid ng mga araw-araw na sumusubaybay sa UKG.

(My belief is based on those who have followed UKG.)

"Subalit alam ko rin na may mga hindi nagustuhan ang aking komento at ang aking paalaala, ipinalagay na paninisi sa biktima.
"Hindi po yun ang aking intensiyon."

(But I know there were many people who were not happy with my reminder about blaming the victim. That was not my intention.)

Taberna said he is not blaming the victim for what happened and that justice should be served.
He then said sorry to those he offended.

"Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa mga nasaktan sa aking komento at mas magiging maingat po ako sa susunod na pagkakataon."

(I am apologizing to those offended and rest assure, I will be careful from now on.)