Azkals Rape Rumor Update: Statement From Amanda Coling's Lawyer!

Amanda Coling is open to accepting apologies. From whom and for what is the question everyone is asking.

Her lawyer, Atty Apollo Sangalang, has posted in his FB page what is purportedly Coling's side of the story.

The statement specifically says that something happened on June 2. What it was, we don't know yet. But by June 6, a newspaper reporter was already calling her about a supposed "gang rape video" involving her and the Azkals. After remaining silent, her name was exposed without her consent by media people as the victim of the Azkals rape rumor.



From that point, things started unraveling for Coling, leading up to her removal from last week's fashion event.

My personal take is this:
1) Something happened on June 2.

2) What happened is not a clear cut case of rape or whatever else it may have been. Why? Because she consulted a MILITANT women's group and a public attorney and she ended up deciding to keep silent. If her situation was clearly rape, don't you think the militant women's group and the public attorney would have jumped at the chance to become famous with this potentially landmark case? They would and the point that they didn't means it isn't what certain people are claiming it to be.

3) She makes several references to what could be media abuse. Some statements from news article like like "Sangalang said his client “never specifically named, identified, or blamed anyone as liable or responsible, despite attempts by certain entities to put words into her mouth."  reek of classic media sensationalism tactics. In fact, Atty. Sangalang's statement also contains this line "Unfortunately, her message got drowned by sensationalism and cynicism." That's pretty damning for the media.

4) Also, she's not filing a case against anybody at the moment. Not the Azkals, not the media, not anybody. That doesn't seem like typical behavior for a rape victim eh?

It is my humble opinion that the Azkals rape rumor was just the delusional ravings of a German madman who should never be allowed back in the country. Some fault also lies with media people who have biases against the Azkals or who are merely going along for the ride. Responsible journalism took a hit because of this incident.

I feel like this issue is almost behind us. Hopefully, the Azkals can concentrate on the upcoming match against Kuwait despite this.

More on this story here.