Actress Nadine Lustre and her boyfriend, Filipino-French entrepreneur Christophe Bariou, broke their silence after being dragged into the alleged destruction of the coral reef in Tuason Beach, Siargao, for a luxury villa project.
Netizens criticized the couple after it was revealed that one of their friends and business partners was involved in the project. Both Nadine and Christophe have denied any role in the incident, calling it a betrayal of their shared advocacy for the island’s protection.
“Like everyone else, Chris and I are deeply affected by what happened at Tuason Beach. The destruction there goes against every law of nature and must be held accountable under the law, and we fully acknowledge and support that,” Nadine wrote on social media.
She admitted that the accused individual was their friend, making the issue more painful. “It’s no secret that the person involved is a friend. That makes it all the more heartbreaking to see not only the damage done to the island, but also the betrayal of what Chris and I have been fighting for.”
The actress clarified that she and Bariou had no knowledge of the project beforehand. “By the time we learned about the situation, DENR’s investigation was already underway. Had we known of these plans earlier, we would have opposed them outright. It is unjust to be linked to a project we had no knowledge of and no part in.”
She further explained why they chose to wait before releasing a statement. “We chose to take a moment before speaking because it was important to respond with care, not impulse, on such a serious matter. That is not indifference, it is responsibility. I carry the weight of this platform knowing that words have consequences, and I will never use it just to save face or to post something I may later regret or that could cause more harm.”
“What matters most is clear: we stand with Siargao and against anything that threatens it,” Nadine added.
Meanwhile, Bariou also released his own statement. “I want to make it absolutely clear that Nadine and I have no part in the destruction of the reef in Tuason, nor are we in any way involved in the project there. Like everyone else, we are saddened, disappointed, and frustrated by what happened.”
He emphasized that their eco-conscious restaurant, Ver De Siargao, was being unfairly dragged into the issue. “Ver De Siargao Restaurant has nothing to do with this. While the person accused is a business partner in this restaurant, his project in Tuason is entirely separate. We are not accountable for his actions, and we will not tolerate misplaced attacks on us or on Ver De, which provides livelihoods for many and contributes to the community.”
Both Nadine and Christophe condemned the destruction and called for accountability and stronger environmental protection.
Nadine appealed for unity among locals and authorities: “Let’s ensure something positive comes from this tragic event: I hope all agencies and residents can work together to investigate the many instances of environmental destruction that have plagued Siargao for years.”
Christophe echoed this, saying, “This could become an opportunity to raise awareness about the many illegal and environmentally destructive projects that have plagued Siargao over the years—from private owners to those in positions of power. We can turn this into a chance for accountability and stronger protection of our island.”
The reef flattening at Tuason Beach, reportedly done using heavy machinery, has sparked outrage among locals and environmental groups. Actress Andi Eigenmann, who resides in Siargao, also criticized the practice, warning that disrupting nature “will never be the same again.”
