MANILA - Alvin Yapan, director of the film "Oro," has finally spoken after receiving criticisms for allegedly violating animal welfare laws.

In a statement released on Facebook, Yapan said they did not include the slaughter scene just to make the film controversial, adding that the scene shows the tradition of people in some parts of the country.

"Hindi ko inimbento ang metapora ng aso dito para lang pumatay ng aso sa loob ng isang pelikula para lang pag-usapan. Nasa tunay talagang pagsasalaysay ng testigo sa Gata 4 Massacre na bumalik siya para singilin ang Patrol Kalikasan para sa kinatay nilang aso. Dahil nga kumakain ng aso ang patrol kalikasan, kasi nga tradisyon ang pagpulutan ng aso sa inuman sa ilang probinsiya sa bansa," Yapan wrote.

He also denied asking one of his actors to kill the dog.

"Hindi totoo na inutusan ko ang isang aktor para lang pumatay ng aso. Diyan ako pinakanagalit. Hindi ako tanga. At kahit sinumang aktor siguro hindi papayag diyan. O hindi ko ilalagay ang sinumang aktor sa ganyang posisyon. Sa probinsiya po may mga nakatalaga talagang tagapatay ng aso, baboy, baka, etc.," Yapan explained.

Yapan likewise said they used a pig in the scene, but edited it in such a way that it would look like a dog.

"Hindi rin totoo na kinain iyong aso sa set. Sa pagkakatanda ko ibang araw shinoot iyong inuman scene doon sa mismong pagkatay ng aso. Baboy ang ginamit nila. Nasa pag edit na po iyon,"

He also said that it is not his role to teach people about animal welfare when he was not able to do anything to protect their rights.

"Bakit hindi ko sila tinuruan na mali ang pagkatay ng aso? Bakit hindi ko sila tinuruan ng animal welfare? Sino ako para gawin iyon sa kanila? Ni wala akong nagawa para sa pakikipaglaban sa karapatan ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, tapos lelecturan ko sila sa karapatan ng asong kinakain nila? Sino naman akong burgis na tagasentro na bigla na lang lelecturan sila na barbaro ang kanilang ginagawa ni wala nga akong naitulong para iangat ang kanilang antas ng pamumuhay para naman baboy at baka na ang kanilang kainin?" Yapan said.

"Oro" executive producer Feliz Guerrero, on the other hand, said the slaughter scene was a depiction of tradition, adding that the film's main focus is the violation of the rights of the people of Barangay Gata in Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

"Umasa ang produksyon na manindigan ang animal welfare advocates na magsalita at turuan ang sambayanan tungkol sa tamang pag-alaga at proteksyon sa mga hayop.
Ngunit sa kabilang banda, ninanais ng produksyon ang mas pagpapahalaga sa karapatang pantao. Pag-alaga at proteksyon sa isang komunidad na inagawan ng hanap-buhay at ang apat ay pinatay."

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive committee, in a statement, said it did not pose any obstacle to the participation of "Oro" "on account of the film's prior representation that no dog was actually killed in connection with the subject depiction."

"The MMFF Executive Committee takes this opportunity to strongly emphasize that it has not condoned nor will ever condone any cruelty to animals. Neither will it allow the Festival to be the vehicle for any such actions," the committee said in the statement.

The committee added that after the meeting with the film producers and Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Yapan volunteered to immediately undertake the following:

- Execute a written statement/disclaimer addressed to the general audience based on its above-mentioned prior representation as well as its commitment to uphold animal welfare and human dignity in connection with the film;

- Come up with an amended version of the film more in keeping with animal welfare; and

- Actively cooperate with PAWS toward an awareness campaign on animal welfare, without prejudice to its pursuit of public discussion in regard to other issues raised by the film.

"The MMFF Executive Committee will nonetheless rely, as it always has, on the good faith behind all representations made by the parties concerned. It has thus asked all participants to always observe goodwill and candor as regards all aspects of the festival," the statement said.

A scene in "Oro" showed a dog being gutted as it was being prepared to be cooked.

PAWS wants the film "Oro" to be pulled out of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) because of its controversial slaughter scene.

"Oro" is one of the eight entries to this year's film fest. Irma Adlawan, its lead actress, won the top acting honor at the recently concluded MMFF awards night.