Actress Liza Soberano did not hold back after being called a “hypocrite” for speaking out on online child exploitation in the Philippines.
On X (formerly Twitter), Soberano reposted an ABS-CBN News report on the rescue of seven minors during an entrapment operation. In her caption, she cited a study by the International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Philippine government showing that the Philippines remains a global hotspot for Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC).
“The Philippines is a global hotspot for OSEC… the country received more than eight times as many referrals as any other country during the 2010-2017 baseline period,” she wrote.
While many netizens praised her for raising awareness, others criticized her, with one calling her a hypocrite for speaking up about issues in the Philippines while allegedly being silent on those in the U.S.
“Hypocrite @lizasoberano. You dip your fingers in PH society again because you can’t criticize sensitive issues vs. US, your birthland and now homeland. Your own claimed trauma happened in the US so why didn’t you call out US government agencies that protect children’s rights and welfare?” the basher wrote.
Soberano hit back: “I don’t know, maybe because I’m more passionate about Filipino people? Maybe because literally nobody else with a platform is willing to shed light and talk about the horrible things happening to the Filipino people. The US has their own problems but there are millions of educated people who are loud and fighting to bring awareness and make change.”
She added: “If I’m being honest the Philippines does not have a lot of that and it’s people like you that are perpetuating the abuse and lack of accountability. Instead of acknowledging that there are things that need fixing you’d rather turn a blind eye because it’s not affecting you. Shame on you. Shame on everyone who remains silent when evil things are being done to the people around you.”
Soberano also addressed those nitpicking her typo — she mistakenly wrote “steak holders” instead of “stakeholders.”
“Lol at the amount of comments correcting my typo. That’s not the point, people. Instead of policing my English why don’t we practice being informed about what’s going on in our country,” she said.
The actress admitted she was “rage typing” when she posted: “Thank you po. I was just so mad in the moment I started typing lol. Didn’t catch the typo.”
