Former San Simon councilor Melchor Tayag shows media photo shown on Tulfo TV5 program that mistook him for the owner of the embattled Real Steel Corp. Photo by Bong Lacson
CLARK FREEPORT — “It’s a big mistake. That man in the photo is me and not Irwin Chua.”
Thus, a former councilor of San Simon, Pampanga decried incorrect reports on national television and social media identifying him as the owner of an embattled steel manufacturing plant in Barangay San Isidro, San Simon.
“Now, my family and I fear for my safety because of this mistaken identification,” said Melchor “Mel” Tayag, former town councilor and municipal environment and natural resources officer of San Simon.
Tayag referred to his photograph shown on the program of Erwin Tulfo at TV5 wherein he was referenced to as Irwin Chua, owner of Real Steel Corp. alleged to have maltreated workers that necessitated and alleged rescue.
The picture was widely circulated in social media with Tayag at the receiving end of violent bashes.
“Those people with me in the photo are not complainants and workers of Real Steel,” he said, clarifying that the picture was taken three years ago at the San Simon municipal hall not at the Real Steel Corp. office as alleged by Tulfo.
Tayag said he is contemplating of seeking legal remedies against Tulfo.
At the same media conference here on Saturday, Real Steel Corp. general manager Melodie Arellano, said if the 42 complaining workers knew Chua, how come they did not even know how he looked in the photo.
“How could Sir Tulfo believe the other complaints of the workers when they don’t even know how Mr. Chua looks?” said Arellano. “In that same photo taken three years ago, the 42 complainants wanted to make it appear that they are the ones shown seated while Mr. Tayag was standing.”
“This is a minor case which was blown out of proportion. We can prove that we have not done nothing wrong,” she said of the maltreatment issues levelled against her company.
Arellano claimed there isa “good bonding” between her and the workers. She said they should have taken into consideration the plight of the more than 400 workers of Real Steel before coming out with the baseless story.
Arellano said Tulfo should have asked their side of the story before it was put out:
“Sir Tulfo, you are an idol of my mother, you should have asked our side first before coming out of the story.”
Criminal and labor charges have been filed against Real Steel Corp.
Arellano however said that some of the 42 workers who complained have already asked the management if they can come back to work with the company again.
“Of the 42, four of them have come back and have resumed working. Another worker will report back to work after we send money for his transportation. One of them also asked if he can bring 10 new workers with him, attesting that we have a good company,” she said.
