John Arcilla has demanded justice for the 29 dogs and cats found dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, as he called for a thorough investigation of pet crematoriums across the country following the incident.
In two social media posts over the weekend, Arcilla described the incident as a crime and accused questionable pet crematoriums of deceiving pet owners who pay for the proper cremation of their deceased animals.
‘Ito ay isang krimen,’ he said in his first post. ‘Kailangang panagutan at makulong ang mga may gawa nito. Ang may ari ng crematorium at ang mga staff na kasangkot.’
Arcilla also called for the closure of establishments that fail to comply with the necessary standards, saying it is a form of estafa toward pet owners or fur parents.
‘Ito ay panloloko at isang estafa. kumukubra ng pera pero walang produktong legal,’ the actor lamented. ‘Hindi ito makatarungan para sa mga nagbayad at nagtiwalang fur parents na ang mga abo na nasa kanila ay hindi naman abo ng kanilang mga fur babies.’
In a subsequent post, Arcilla shared his personal concerns as a pet owner, revealing that he had 11 dogs cremated after they died, mostly due to old age.
‘How can I confirm if all those urns contain the remains of my rightful furbabies?’ he said as he raised the possibility that some crematoriums could bury animal remains in their own properties while giving customers generic ashes instead.
Arcilla underscored that it is not an ‘overraction’ to demand accountability for cases like this.
‘Kailangan ma-investigate lahat ng pet crematoriums at ma-double-check ang kanilang facilities kung able and capable ba silang mag-operate. kung hindi at kahina-hinala ang kanilang operations, dapat ipa-close ito, at makulong ang mga may pananagutan, kasama ang staff na mga accomplice,’ he said.
‘Hindi ito overreaction. we pay a good sum for these services, out of love for our pets, whom we consider members of our families,’ added the veteran actor.
Arcilla’s remarks came after the remains of 29 dogs and cats were found inside sacks in a vacant lot in Barangay Minuyan Proper, San Jose del Monte, even though they were originally brought to Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite, for proper cremation.
Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla later ordered the closure of the crematorium involved in the incident.
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), meanwhile, urged the owners of the 29 animals to pursue legal action against the establishment, saying the incident may constitute estafa by means of deceit.