Atom Araullo files ₱2 million civil complaint vs SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz for 'red-tagging'

- Atom Araullo filed a ₱2 million damage suit against SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz on Monday

- The legal action was sought after Badoy and Celiz's red-tagging allegations against Araullo on national television and social media platforms

- Araullo decided to file the complaint to protect his family and defend press freedom

- In July, Araullo's mom, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chair Emeritus Dr. Carol Pagaduan Araullo, also filed a similar complaint against Badoy and Celiz

Atom Araullo on Monday filed a ₱2 million damage suit against former communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz over red-tagging allegations.

Araullo complained about defamatory statements by the two Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts against him on national television and social media platforms.

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As per ABS-CBN News, Araullo was accompanied by Atty. Tony La Viña and his parents at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

In a report by CNN Philippines, Araullo said he decided to file the complaint to protect his family and, by extension, defend press freedom.

"Pinili kong ipagkibit-balikat ang mga paratang lalo't walang katuturan ang mga ito. Ngunit dahil delikado ang disinformation, lalo kung hahayaan lamang, nagpasya akong manindigan. Ginagawa ko ito para sa kaligtasan ng aking pamilya, ngunit sana ay maka-ambag din ito kahit papaano sa pagtatanggol ng press freedom sa kabuuan," CNN Philippines wrote, quoting Araullo.

According to Philstar.com, Araullo's mother, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Emeritus Chairperson Carol Pagaduan Araullo, filed a similar complaint against the SMNI hosts in July for “incessantly and wantonly” vilifying her organization.

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Badoy and Celiz accused Atom of being a “communist operative”, and Carol of being a high ranking official or recruiter of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

Currently, Badoy and Celiz are among the hosts of the show Laban Kasama ng Bayan on SMNI.

Atom Araullo, is a Pinoy journo, TV presenter, occasional actor, radio host, and model. He is also an environmental conservation advocate, mainly on marine ecosystems. He has a star on the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.

Earlier, Atom took to Twitter and defended his mom, who was allegedly the subject of misinformation. He reposted some tweets, which accused his mother of being an NPA. He said that while he may not usually call out private individuals, he said that the behavior must not be normalized. The popular journo also explicitly said that the things that were being tweeted were lies.

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Previously, Atom uploaded a sweet photo of him with Zen Hernandez. The photo was accompanied by a birthday greeting for Zen, who turns 43 today, October 4. He also teased Zen through his greeting by writing “28th birthday” instead of 43rd birthday. Netizens in the comments section expressed their happiness for the rumored couple.

Source: KAMI.com.gh