Erwin Tulfo, offered another apology, “I think I have to tone down and change my style.”

Erwin tulfo and DSWD Sec. Bautista Photo from GMA network

MANILA, Philippines — “I think I have to tone down and change my style.”

These were the words of radio personality Erwin Tulfo, last Monday as he made a new public apology for his excessive rant against Department Social Welfare Secretary and former Army Chief Rolando Joselito Bautista.

“Mukhang hindi sapat ‘yung aking apology. Hindi po tinanggap ni Sec. Bautista at ng kanyang mga ka-tropa, kabaro sa PMA (Philippine Military Academy), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at PNP (Philippine National Police),” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“Ang sasabihin ko lang po is ako at ang buong pamilyang Tulfo ay nagpapakumbabang humihingi ng kapatawaran kay retired general at Sec. Rolando Bautista sa pagmumura at pangbabastos ko sa kanya noong nakaraang linggo on air,” Tulfo said.

The Broadcaster first issued an apology last Friday May 31, over his radio program, he then said that it is part of his job to lambaste government officials.

He lambasted and threatened Bautista on last week’s program for rejecting to give him a phone patch interview. He even cursed and insulted Bautista and threatened to slap and dunk his head into a toilet bowl when they meet.

“I’ve been thinking about it. I believe it was very excessive, the ranting. You could call out somebody without ranting, cursing on air,” Tulfo added.

He said there was a “miscommunication” between his staff and Sec.Bautista’s staff, he will write full detail of the story on his column on Manila Star on Tuesday.

“Ang mali po kasi hindi ko inalam ng mabuti kung ano ang ginagawa ng butihing heneral. Hindi nasabi nung sekretarya na may kausap na bisita. Kung sinabi ng sekretarya, maiintindihan ko naman,” he said.

Following the incident, Active and retired members of the police and military joined forces on social media to defend Bautista.

There has been an online petition demanding Tulfo’s public apology. And it has reached almost 8,000 signatures as of the moment.

PMA alumni and AFP have made an official statement in defense of Bautista.

General Bautista, a member of PMA “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, retired as Army chief in October 2018 before he was named secretary of DSWD. A seasoned military commander fighting terrorist groups, he was the overall ground commander during the Marawi siege in 2017.

He was also the first commander of the Presidential Security Group under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Tulfo wished that his family would be leave out from this incident for this incident ws all his excessive behavior. He said he was only human who makes mistakes and has shortcomings.

“Dalangin ko po ay huwag isama ang pamilya at mga kapatid. Ako na lang ang pagbuntungan ng galit o pananakit dahil wala naman silang kinalaman sa aking pagkukulang,” he said.

“Dahil sa kamaliang ito, natutunan ko walang dahilan para alipustahin ang isang tao lalo na si Gen. Bautista ay nagsilbi sa bayan at ipinagtanggol ito sa mga kalaban,” Tulfo added.

The PNP recently issued a statement that they will recall the security assigned to the broadcaster, this was due to Tulfo’s attack among other reasons for the recent removal of his detailed security escorts.

Meanwhile, the military also pulled out two marines assigned to Ramon Tulfo, the special envoy to China. Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgar Arevalo however they insists that this action had nothing to do with Erwin Tulfo’s outburst, but in response due to lack of personnel in the Marine Corps.

However AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said it has nothing to do with the controversial attacke against the former Army chief.

According to Tulfo, he understood the action made by PNP and they have the right to do so.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng security ng civilian ay isang pribilyeho… Bago nag pull out sinabihan nila ako na kailangan ng tao at magpapasukan na. Kaya naiintindihan ko,” he said.

He said he is ready to apologize to Bautista in person if he has to and he is willing to face any legal charges against him if the former will do so.

“Kung sa tingin nila kailangan akong parusahan sa kabila ng paghingi ng tawad, haharapin na lang natin. Kasama ‘yan sa trabaho,” Tulfo said..

Source: Inquirer