Coron considers persona non-grata status for vloggers Rosmar Tan, Rendon Labador

Vloggers Rendon Labador, and Rosmar Tan are on the verge of being banned in Coron, Palawan following their heated argument with a Mayor’s staff, Jho Cayabyab Trinidad.

In a social media post, Coron’s municipal council member John Patrick Reyes shared the draft of a resolution declaring the two social media personalities persona non-grata in Coron. The resolution is expected to be approved after the June 24 regular session.

“RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to declare Rendon Labador, Rosemarie Tan Pamulaklakin a.k.a. Rosmar and Marki Tan as persona non-grata in the Municipality of Coron, Palawan for their disrespectful behavior, negative publicity, incitement to conflict, and violation of Republic Act No. 10951, also known as the ‘Property and Damage Penalty Adjustment Act’; Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code; and Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the “Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law),” the draft of the resolution read.

According to the drafted resolution, Labador's actions were "disrespectful, inappropriate, and a blatant disregard for proper decorum," while Tan caused “undue distress and embarrassment to the mayor’s staff and were seen as reflecting negatively on the office she represents.”

In legal terms, “persona-non grata” refers to the practice of prohibiting a person from entering a specific territory. 

On Facebook, Coron Municipal Mayor Marjo Reyes said an “investigation” over the matter is currently being done. He also called on concerned departments to gather relevant documents and complaints for an appropriate action.

What happened?

All this came after Trinidad alleged Rendon Labador, and Rosmar Tan “used” the people of Coron for their vlog.

"Ginamit nyo lang mga taga Coron para sa mga vlog vlog nyo at socmed. Dismayado dahil naghintay sila ng isang oras at gutom. At lalong ginamit nyo mga staff para mag assist sa inyo tapos sala kayong inabot kahit singkong duling!" Trinidad wrote in a June 14 Facebook post.

Following the online accusations, Labador confronted Trinidad, as seen in a video he uploaded in his social media page. 

In the viral video, the vlogger can be seen in a heated argument with Trinidad, even shouting and pointing fingers at her.

Addressing the issue, Tan and Labador each issued a statement on their social media pages.

On Facebook, Tan said they coordinated with the municipality of Coron, hence the presence of the police and several staff at that time.

“Sadyang sobrang dami tao ang pumunta kaya napilitan kami umalis kahit di pa tapos kasi may narinig kami na nahihimatay na at nagkakatulakan,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, Labador took to Instagram Stories to explain he only defended Tan against the accusations.

“Pakiusap ko lang sa Mayor at LGU ng Coron, Palawan na huwag na lang i-damay si Rosmar. Ako na lang ang tatanggap ng Persona Non Grata kung ‘yan ang gusto niyong mangyari,” he said. 

In his statement, Labador said he was accountable for his own actions.

“Accountable ako sa lahat ng actions ko. Ako ay nagbabagong buhay pero ang prinisipyo at paninidigan para sa tama ay hindi magbabago,” he said.

— Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News