Sandro Muhlach after filing rape complaint against alleged abusers: 'Diring-diri pa din ako sa sarili ko'
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of depression and sexual abuse.
Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach stressed that he "will not be silenced" after filing a rape complaint against GMA independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz before the Department of Justice.
In his Instagram stories, the actor—who is the son of showbiz veteran Niño Muhlach—opened up about how the alleged incident affected him.
"What you did to me, it wrecked me. Hirap na hirap ako makatulog since it happened. Anxiety and PTSDs (post-traumatic stress disorder) are hard to beat. [Every day] akong hinahaunt ng trauma ko," he began.
"Ayoko mangyari sa iba 'yung ginawa sakin. Kaya sinabi ko sa kapatid ko na sana 'wag mangyari sa kanya 'yung nangyari sakin kasi hirap na hirap na 'ko," he added.
The 23-year-old artist said he's trying his best to be okay so that his loved ones won't worry so much about him.
"Diring-diri pa din ako sa sarili ko. Napakahirap tanggapin lahat ng ginawa sa'kin," he opened up.
"Im trying my best to be okay para hindi mag-alala 'yung pamilya ko lalo na 'yung mommy ko na nasa Amerika na araw-araw umiiyak dahil sinisisi niya ang sarili niya na malayo siya at hindi ako maprotektahan. But the truth is hindi ako okay," he said as he expressed his appreciation for his family and friends who "always check up" on him.
He concluded his post by saying that this fight is for everyone who has experienced abuse. "The truth will prevail," he continued.
Sandro also reposted a social media post reminding victims of abuse that they are not alone.
Sandro testified and appeared virtually before the Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada during the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media on Monday, Aug. 19. His legal counsel said he is still "triggered" by the traumatic experience.
The actr recounted being allegedly pressured to ingest drugs and assaulted while he was in a weakened state—a claim that Nones repeatedly denied.
After continuously shutting down allegations against him, Nones was cited in contempt by Estrada and was ordered to be placed under Senate custody.
Sandro filed a complaint against Nones and Cruz before the DOJ on the same day. He was joined by his legal team, his father, his girlfriend, and a friend.
Atty. Czarina Raz said their "evidence is strong" and noted they will "get the justice Sandro deserves" as they filed the case in connection to sexual assault and several acts of lasciviousness.
Nones and Cruz, meanwhile, submitted counter-affidavits and appeared before the NBI with their legal counsels. The DOJ is now reviewing the case.
