Boss Toyo apologizes over claim Kara David’s Aeta docu had ‘politikal agenda’

He challenged the report after a site visit; she defended her team’s probe and cited government findings.

Content creator Boss Toyo apologized after questioning veteran journalist Kara David’s I-Witness documentary on an illegal dumpsite in Aeta ancestral lands in Subic in Zambales.

The controversy began after Boss Toyo (Jayson Jay Luzadas)—in a now-deleted Facebook post about the documentary captured by fellow creator Boss Seth—accused the team behind it of allegedly using the Indigenous community for “content and politikal agenda.”

In a separate post on July 18, where the comments section is turned off, Luzadas claimed he visited the “ground zero” of the Subic dumpsite and said his observations differed from what was presented in the report. He said he did not notice a foul odor or a significant presence of flies during his visit.

He also said the Aeta community he encountered was located at the foot of the mountain and that there were no other houses nearby.

Luzadas also claimed that the dumpsite’s land was privately owned, a statement that contradicts the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples’ confirmation that the affected area was part of an ancestral domain.

Responding through the comments section of Boss Seth’s post, David defended the documentary’s reporting process, noting that her team spent more than a month investigating the issue before the documentary aired.

“DENR mismo ang nagpasara sa dumpsite dahil ito ay declared illegal,” David said, referring to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

She reiterated the NCIP’s comment on the land’s ownership, and noted that they interviewed Aeta residents. “At para patas, kinuha din namin ang panig ng mayor’s office. Malinaw na may paglabag sa batas at sinabi ng mayor’s office, we accept accountability,” she said.

“Napanood n’yo naman siguro. Kayo na lang po ang humusga. Salamat po,” she added.

On July 19, Luzadas issued an apology over the “narrative” that came from his visit, saying he did not intend to argue with critics and was only sharing what he personally observed.

“Pasensya po sa lahat. Pasensya po kung iba po ang naging punto ko sa punto ninyo,” Luzadas wrote.

He added that he had no intention of engaging in arguments, saying, “Wala po akong planong makipagtalo o argumento,” while maintaining that his statements were based on what he encountered at the dumpsite.

Luzadas also shifted the discussion toward the broader issue of waste management, urging the public to reduce the use of single-use and non-recyclable plastics.

Luzadas is known for his YouTube series Pinoy Pawnstars, where he buys rare items and memorabilia from Filipino personalities.

READ: