Kapuso actress Elijah Alejo has spoken out against online harassment after receiving vulgar and inappropriate comments on her social media posts.
The issue stemmed from a series of behind-the-scenes photos Elijah shared on Facebook from the look test of her upcoming film ‘She Who Must Not Be Named’, captioned, “Selfies from my look test last year for #SheWhoMustNotBeNamed.”
While many appreciated the photos, some netizens left malicious and sexually suggestive remarks about the actress’ appearance. In response, Elijah compiled screenshots of the comments and reposted them on April 4 to call attention to the behavior.
“The post vs the comments. My photos are not your excuse, disrespect is never a compliment,” she wrote.
The 21-year-old actress strongly condemned the harassment, emphasizing that women should not be objectified.
“Women are not toys. Hindi kami laruan na pwede niyong pagtripan kung kailan niyo gusto. Hindi kami objects na pwedeng bastusin at tawagin pang ‘compliment,’” she said.
Elijah also criticized the mindset behind such behavior, stressing that the issue lies not in women expressing themselves but in the lack of respect from others.
“2026 na pero may mga utak pa ring naiwan sa panahong akala nila okay lang ang pambabastos. Hindi pagiging confident o maganda ang problema. Hindi pagpo-post ng photos ang issue,” she stated.
“Kayo ang problema. Yung mindset na iniisip niyong may karapatan kayong mang-bastos,” she added.
She further reminded netizens that visibility online does not equate to consent.
“Just because you see a woman online does not mean you own a piece of her. Hindi ibig sabihin na visible kami, available na kami sa kabastusan niyo. Hindi ibig sabihin na nagpost kami, pumayag na kami.”
“Respect is basic. Kung wala kayo nun, that says everything about you,” she continued.
Elijah concluded her statement by urging people to refrain from making disrespectful comments if they cannot offer anything positive.
“So kung wala kayong kayang ibigay kundi bastos na salita, manahimik na lang kayo. Women will continue to exist, express themselves, and take up space kahit hindi niyo kayang rumespeto. At tandaan niyo, ang pambabastos ay hindi kailanman magiging compliment.”
Following her post, many netizens expressed support for the actress, commending her for speaking up against online harassment and promoting respect for women.
