MANILA—A visibly upset Coco Martin went on a tirade over the government’s decision to force his home network, ABS-CBN, off the air.

In a Facebook Live video event dubbed “Laban Kapamilya” on Friday night, the “Ang Probinsyano” star pulled no punches in railing against a cease-and-desist order on the broadcaster and called on fellow celebrities to push back.

“Hindi labanan ’to ng diplomasya. Binarubal na tayo. Tinarantado na tayo. Kinuha na iyong bahay natin. Anong ie-expect natin? Pagdadasal natin sila? Pinagdasal na natin sila. Tiniis na natin sila. Dapat kumilos na tayo. Magsalita tayo,” he said.

“Kasi kung lahat tayo mananahimik, aabusuhin tayo niyan . . . Kasi ito iyong pagkakataon natin. Wala na tayong trabaho. Ano ang iingatan natin?”

The Kapamilya actor lashed out at the government for shutting down the company that has helped communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ano ang uunahin natin ngayon? Tanggalin ang kompanya na tumutulong sa ating kapwa, sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, o ’yung sugal na pinapasok sa ating bansa? Buti pa ’yung POGO, pinaglalaban niyo. Itong kompanyang tumutulong sa lahat ng mga tao ngayon, pinasara niyo," Martin said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s remark that ABS-CBN employees can ask for aid from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) following the network’s closure also didn’t sit well with Martin.

“Ang buong Pilipinas nga hindi niyo masuplayan, pati pa kami makikidagdag?” he said.

Martin, dubbed the “Teleserye King,” stressed that ABS-CBN and his fellow celebrities immediately responded to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Kasi po ito ang pagkakataon namin para tumulong. Kasi po ‘yong mga hindi nagagawa ng iba, kami na po ang gagawa. Kasi nakakahiya naman po sa inyo,” he said.

Martin said he wouldn’t allow ABS-CBN to close down, the network that gave him his big break in showbiz.

“Wala po akong talento. Ang liit ko. Ang pangit ko. Itim ako. Bulol ako. Hindi ako marunong mag-Ingles. Wala akong kapasidad, walang katangian para maging artista, pero hindi po ’yun ang tiningnan ng ABS-CBN. Ang tiningnan nila ay kung ano ang kapasidad mo para magtrabaho at ipakita ang talento mo,” he said.

And if it involves his family, he said he would fight tooth and nail.

“Kapag ang pamilya ko kinanti, kahit sino ka pa, lalaban ako ng patayan sa iyo kahit patayin mo pa ako,” he said.

• NTC orders ABS-CBN to stop broadcasting

The National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order on the country’s largest entertainment and media conglomerate following the expiration of its franchise.

The Kapamilya network, which reaches millions of Filipinos through its television, radio and online platforms, halted broadcast operations.

This, despite 11 bills renewing its congressional franchise remain lodged in Congress as the House of Representatives has yet to tackle the legislation.

• ABS-CBN to go off air in compliance with NTC order
• Which ABS-CBN businesses can still operate after NTC's cease and desist order?

Amid accusations of alleged abuses, such as offering a pay-per-view service and operating multiple channels, ABS-CBN has repeatedly said it did not break the law in its decades-old service.

• READ: ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak's message on the cease and desist order issued to ABS-CBN
• READ: ABS-CBN Chairman Mark L. Lopez's message on the cease and desist order issued to ABS-CBN

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