Bicol writers’ group says no space for abusers amid claims vs Albay ‘D.O.M.’

More writers come forward with accounts of abuse in the wake of Junglegate.

A writers’ organization in Tabaco City in Albay, Bicol has joined the growing list of literary groups speaking out against abuse in Philippine literary circles in the wake of “Junglegate.”

In a statement published Sunday, Sept. 13—and translated from Bicol to English via Google Translate—the Tabaco Writers’ Organization (TAWO) said it joins in condemning incidents of abuse, “especially against women and children,” within writers’ communities in Albay and across the country.

TAWO said it stands by its position that “a writer is free to create as long as that creation does not harm another person’s life, body, mind, or soul.” It pledged to remain “a safe space for women, children, and everyone in our community.”

“There is no place in the organization for personalities who use their power, influence, and reputation to abuse others,” the group said.

The statement comes days after a viral Facebook post accused a literary figure in Albay of years of inappropriate behavior toward women and alleged that victims stayed quiet because he was influential.

The Sept. 10 post claimed that the literary figure—described as a “D.O.M.” or dirty old man—would confront people who spoke about their experiences, allegedly reminding them of his awards, books, connections, and reputation. It also called out schools and cultural institutions for continuing to invite him as a speaker, resource person, or guest of honor, tagging the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office V, the Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office of Albay, and the Ibalong Festival over what it described as enabling the writer.

The author also shared screenshots of the literary figure’s public Facebook posts over the years. They included jokes comparing women’s nipples to onions and calamansi, a meme claiming that staring at women’s chests extends one’s lifespan, posts featuring women in revealing clothing, and another about being able to “undress anyone in my mind.”

TAWO’s statement stands out. While individual writers have spoken out against abuses, no major literary organization or institution in Manila—long purported to be the country’s literary center—has issued a similar statement.

The Bicol allegations surfaced after controversy over the planned republication of Alfred “Krip” Yuson’s Great Philippine Jungle Energy Café by Exploding Galaxies, a publisher focused on “rediscovering lost classics of Philippine literature.” The planned republication was later canceled following public backlash.

The backlash stemmed from allegations of misconduct against Yuson that resurfaced during the republication announcement. No formal cases have been filed against him, and he has not publicly responded to the recent allegations. His 2011 plagiarism controversy has also resurfaced amid the issue.

As Junglegate grew, more writers and former workshop participants came forward with their own experiences.

Gian Lao described unwanted sexual advances from a senior workshop panelist during the 2010 Silliman University Writers Workshop. Marguerite Alcazaren De Leon recalled alleged grooming, sexual harassment, blackmail, and an attempted rape involving men in literary circles. Irene Sarmiento recounted unwanted attention at a literary awards event when she was 20.

Poet Ramil Digal Gulle has also called on writing workshops to “seriously vet” panelists beyond their literary credentials and adopt clearer safeguards, including formal boundaries and penalties for predatory behavior toward young writers.

Here’s the original statement from TAWO:

An TAWO Tabaco Writers’ Organization, nakikisumaro sa pagkondena kan mga insidente ki pang-aabusong, dulo na sa mga kababayihan buda kaakian, nangyari sa laog kan mga kumunidad kan parasurat sa Albay buda bilog na nasyon. Sayon sa panindugan kan TAWO na an sarong “parasurat talingkas sa paghaman sagkod an hinaman dai nakakadulot ki karaotan o danyar sa kapwa buhay, sa lawas, isip, buda kalag” giraray ming pigpapanuga na an Tabaco Writers’ Organization padagos na magiging ligtas na espasyo para sa mga kababayihan, kaakian, buda sisay pa man na minasirong sa samuyang lindong. Daing lugar sa organisasyon an mga personalidad na minagamit kan saindang poder, impluwensya buda reputasyon ngani makapangabuso ki kapwa.

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