A photo posted by Jed Madela (@jedmadelaofficial) on Oct 13, 2015 at 7:02am PDT

MANILA - Singer Jed Madela has lashed out at people linking him to the 15-year-old Darren Espanto, whom he considers as his "little bro."

In an interview with Pep, Madela, 39, said he is only a "very vocal" fan of Espanto.

"Kasi ako ever since, you know, I saw this kid perform on TV naging fan na talaga ako ni Darren and I was very vocal about it kahit minsan bina-bash na nga ako at inaaway ng mga tao, kung anu-ano na ang tsinitsimis sa akin,"he said.

A photo posted by Jed Madela (@jedmadelaofficial) on Aug 30, 2015 at 8:35am PDT

That is why he feels bad when bashers say malicious things with regard to his admiration for the young singer.

“It’s very malicious na, iyung mga nagsasabi ng ganoon wala nang magandang masabi sa buhay,” he said.

"Okay, i-link ninyo ako sa ibang tao, huwag lang sa bata. Huwag ninyong i-involve yung bata kasi he’s a minor, he’s a kid, very traumatizing sa tao," he said.

A photo posted by Jed Madela (@jedmadelaofficial) on Jun 16, 2015 at 5:36am PDT

He said he has a good relationship with Espanto.

“Sinasabi pa nu’ng bata [Espanto] sa akin, ‘Hayaan mo sila, Kuya. Tara, nood tayong sine. Tara, tambay tayo,’ ganoon. So, I’m happy that this kid has a mind of his own,” he added.