The radio commentator who earlier criticized the Negros Occidental provincial government and the Philippine Army for distributing sardines to troops who recently returned from the Marawi conflict apologized for his words.

Rico Gantalao, vice president of the Negros Press Club and a radio anchor for Radyo Bandera Sweet FM-Bacolod, posted a message on his Facebook account apologizing to Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Coordinator, Dr. Ma. Lina Sanogal, for his actions both on social media and over the air waves.

Gantalao said he only understood the purpose of the sardines after Radyo Bandera interviewed 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, who said it is a long-standing tradition for them to serve the canned food every time they have a boodle fight.

Gantalao claimed “his emotions got ahead of him” after hearing the story of 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) First Sergeant of the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company, Technical Sergeant Jose Lumayno, who said they only ate canned food during the duration of the conflict.

The radio announcer added, he didn’t mean any malice in his comments and just wanted the soldiers to be provided a “better meal” following the hardships they experienced.

Meanwhile, Sanogal filed a complaint against Gantalao before the press club earlier this week on alleged “irresponsible reporting” and for violating the tenets of the Journalism Code of Ethics.

In her letter to Club President Renato ‘Aksyon Boy’ Duran, she stated Gantalao’s remarks “trivialized an otherwise significant occasion, as it lost sight of the essence of the welcome ceremony itself and focused on the eating part.”

The provincial official added, she was dismayed by Gantalao’s statements and said he failed to get their side of the story.

Earlier, both the provincial government and the army defended the distribution of canned sardines to local soldiers, calling the food a “basic component for the Philippine Army.”

303IB commander, Colonel Eliezer Losañes, noted, the boodle fight was held as part of the welcome home ceremony and was “merely ceremonial.”/DGB, WDJ