Jacque Bermejo?

Who is she?

She’s not an Actress, not a singer , and never a politician. Then how come she’s making headlines now all over the internet?

It all started when a certain Jacque Bermejo allegedly posted a comment in facebook, mocking the Filipino victims of tropical storm Ondoy. Here’s what she said: “buti n lng am hir in dubai! Maybe so many sinners bak der!so yeah deserving wat hapend!” after some negative reactions about her first statement, she then followed it up with a reply of "cuz of u dnt understand!!!judge me sige!!! kya ala kayong asenso.even nature now is making statement big time!!!"  This is her reactions to the victims of typhoon Ondoy here in the Philippines. Unlike any famous celebrity, She is now receiving a lot of hate messages, rather than fan mails, mostly coming from Pinoys here and abroad.

Before we jump into conclusion, let’s first give her the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain. Just like everyone else, she must be presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau made an exclusive interview to the person behind the controversial name, Bermejo denied that she wrote the facebook comment and explained that her facebook account was hacked. Below is a copy of the said video interview posted in YouTube

Likewise, here’s the news that was posted at ABSCBN News website about the said exclusive interview... (Source: ABS-CBNNews.com)

OFW 'abused' after mistaken Facebook post on Ondoy

A controversial statement allegedly made by a Filipina overseas worker in Dubai that mocked Filipino victims of tropical storm Ondoy sparked negative reactions among many Pinoys here and abroad.

Jacque Bermejo has been the target of hate threads from Filipinos after someone used her identity to post a very offensive statement against Pinoys affected by the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy on social networking site, Facebook.

“buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend (sic),” the comment read.

The said statement generated more than 1,000 responses from Filipino Facebook users.

The comments included hate messages, accusations and threats from fellow Filipinos.

A user named “Ondoy” posted on September 28, 2009: “Hambalusin na yan!”

Anonymous said: “don’t worry dadalaw tayo sa burol ni jacq bermejo. titingnan natin kung talagang patay siya! (sic)”

Jay-ar said: “meron ba kaung pix ng taong yan? baka kasi makasalubong ko sya mabigyan lang ng mag asawang bitch slap! grrrr...!! (sic)"

Srub09 commented: “sana sya na lng ang inanud ng baha!!porke nakapunta na ng ibang bansa.kung sino na makapagsalita...sipain ko yang mukha mo! (sic)”

Pusa said: “naloka ako sa mga comments sa kanya sa multiply... kasi naman in times like this we should all unite and do our best to help and we don’t need negative thoughts. (sic)”

Alyssa stated: “she's pathetic and lacks good moral. dummy.(sic)”

Several new accounts on Facebook were also created under her name by irate users.

‘A victim too’

However, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, the person behind the controversial name maintained her innocence.

Bermejo denied posting the insulting remarks on Facebook. The marketing executive is saddened by the comments she receives from fellow Filipinos for something she says she did not do.

“Pero naman kung ako siguro ang nakakita sa post na yun, mag iisip naman ako na, bakit naman niya gagawin iyan. Bakit niya ilalagay ang picture niya? Bakit niya ilalagay ang real identity niya? Parang bine-bait niya sarili niya na, 'Ok, kill me',” said Bermejo.

She explained that someone hacked her Facebook account and manipulated its contents two years ago. This prompted her to deactivate her account.

Furthermore, she brought the incident to the Dubai Police who advised her to just open another account.

She also revealed that accounts under her name in other social networking sites like Multiply and Friendster were not hers.

The hacker continued to manipulate the said sites often posting negative comments against her friends.

The last post that insulted people affected by the typhoon alarmed her. She said that after the post, many people started issuing threatening statements against her.

“Pero after this, itong post na ito, unang-unang ginawa ko kagabi umalis ako sa bahay ko. Doon ako natulog sa bahay ng mga kapatid ko kasi natatakot ako,” she said.

Her close friends could not help but feel sorry for what happened to her. They said their friend is clearly an innocent victim. They also appealed to fellow Filipinos to put an end to the issue.
“Gusto ko naman ma-clear yung (name) niya dahil hindi naman ganun si Jacque. And, kung sino ang gumawa nun, he is, something talaga is wrong sa kanya, dapat sana stop na yung mga ganung things eh,” said her friend “Mel”.

‘Official statement’

A Facebook user posted Bermejo’s alleged official statement dated September 29, 2009 in the hopes of clearing her name.

She said that an unidentified source created the accounts using her name, her personal details, and pictures.

“Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc,” Bermejo’s statement said.

Her friends called her up and informed her about the cruel “shoutout” on the Facebook account and the numerous comments from other users.

“These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard,” the statement added

“I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated,” she stated.

Bermejo has taken legal steps to address the problem. She sought the help of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and the National Bureau of Immigration to identify the motive and person behind the moves to discredit her. Reports from Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Chief, Dubai and abs-cbnNEWS.com

In addition to the ABSCBN News, GulfNews.com also posted a written report oh their website about their interview over the phone with Jacque Bermejo. (Source: GulfNews.com )

Fake web posting on floods triggers tsunami of vitriol

By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
Published: September 30, 2009, 22:30

Dubai: The victim of an identity theft known to many as Jackie or Jacque talks of her devastating experience after a comment was posted in her name on the social networking site, facebook, saying that the severe typhoon that battered Manila is "deserved".

The 31-year-old marketing executive in Dubai was battered with thousands upon thousands of messages, e-mails, and phone calls about the comments that said: "It's a good thing I'm here in Dubai. There might be a lot of sinners back there Philippines. So, yeah, they deserved what happened."

This has devastated the life of Jacqueline Bermejo, a Filipina, who has had several days of sleepless nights and is constantly scared of being in public due to frequent threats and calls she is receiving.

"I received messages threatening my life and my family's. My reputation is completely affected and I constantly have nightmares. I just want it to end," she told Gulf News in a phone interview.

For about two years Jacqueline has been facing the unfortunate nightmare as somebody created these accounts using her identity, posting personal details, and pictures.

"I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc," she said while urging public to be aware of what they post online as it could be used against them.

Her facebook account was deactivated following repeated incidents but she was requested by the police to establish an authentic account to clarify her case among her friends.

On Sunday, she received a phone call from a friend regarding very alarming posts on the above websites that directly offended typhoon and flood victims.

Subsequent faceback groups have been made in response to the comment including threatening calls to her sister and letters to her employer.

"I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interests of my country or countrymen," she said in an emotional tone.

According to Major Saeed Al Hajiri, director of Dubai Police department combating cyber crimes, "It is definitely a case of identity theft. The victim reported the case in November of 2008 whereby accounts have been created on facebook under her name."

The matter is still under investigation by the police, he said while refusing to disclose whether they have information about the identities of the people behind this act.

"We are aware of her case and we are constantly in contact with the victim and we have seen the posts written in the accounts in her name. We are working on tracing the people behind this which could take time."

The following statement is said to be Jacque’s official statement about this controversy.

I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..
These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.
I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these.

There’s also a reported statement coming from Jacque Bermejo’s brother stating arguments to defend her sister’s innocence. Jacque Bermejo’s brother’s statement are as follows:

ok! it all started sa Friendster last year 2008, my sister told me that her account was hacked by someone mad at her prolly inggit or may galit… she really doesn’t know or what’s the reason why she has been hacked, of corse she’s pissed off because this person keeps messing up her friendster profile. So, hinayaan lang ng sister ko yun, since wala nmn xang alam sa social networking or kung ano man, she’s a working woman na at wala xang panahon magfriendster.

Ngayon naman this issue has been spreading about her posting such harsh words:

“buti n lg am hir in dubai maybe so many sinners bak der!so year deerving wat happend!”

Ang ate ko hindi ganyan kung magenglish, edukada sister ko at nag graduate sa UP. We came from a PROVINCE and part of a political family. Hindi basta basta si ate jack magpopost na magsisira sa family name namin. Dumaan din kami sa hirap, at for your information binagyo din ang lugar namin, TATLONG BESES. Why in the world will my ate as a filipino disgrace our family and citizen, sana po wag muna kayo manghusga.

Hintayin lang po sana ung explaination, for she doesn’t have internet nor load right now, its around 3am-4am at dubai, and I have hard times contacting her myself.

Kung sino ka man gumagamit ng pangalan ng ate ko, mahahannap ka din ng mga bermejo.

Please note that I wasn’t able to verify if the above statements really came from the two Bermejos.

To add more insult to the injury, There’s  an open letter for Jacque Bermejo’s Boss in Dubai now circulating the internet. I’m just not sure how many individuals are behind the letter’s Concerned Filipino Citizens, the fact that no signature or real name listed in this letter means this can be just a work of a single individual.

A LETTER IS BEING FORWARDED TO JACQUE BERMEJO'S DUBAI BOSS ABOUT HER "undisgraceful public conduct " 

Robeen R. Kobeen
Head of Design - Operational Partner
CasaPrestrige
robeen@casaprestige.ae

Dear Mr. Kobeen ,

A group of concerned Filipino citizens would like to inform you about the disgraceful public conduct of one of your employees , Jacqueline Bermejo. While we are in no way directly associated or remotely acquainted with Jacqueline , a viral detestation of her character as a person has been made apparent to thousands of people around the world , ourselves included. This enmity has driven the public and the press to know who Jacqueline is--where she came from , where she lives , where she works--inevitably leading them to CasaPrestige.

The day the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ketsana (local typhoon name Ondoy) , resulting in massive flooding and the loss of human lives and thousands of homes , Jacqueline made an irreverent public remark on a Filipino FaceBook community page (screencap here) , saying and we quote "buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend!". Roughly translated and improved upon , it can be understood as , 'It's a good thing I'm here in Dubai . There might be a lot of sinners back there [ Philippines ]. So yeah , they deserved what happened".

We are not requesting that any actions of dismissal or reprimand be done on your part , as this matter is strictly unassociated with your business or how Jacqueline conducts herself at work. But her gross and public slur , lack of sensitivity and propriety , and not to mention her blatant recklessness , are qualities unfitting of someone in her role and position as an officer; and although it is irrelevant to the purpose of this letter , her grasp of the English language as a public relations practitioner seems rather questionable. Also , we believe you have the right to know about the matter , as we fear her hate speech toward her own countrymen currently suffering from a calamity will undoubtedly create a negative impression on CasaPrestige and the values the company represents.

On behalf of all Filipinos and supporters and to those who have come to know CasaPrestige as Jacqueline Bermejo's employer , we thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we hope that your company remains unaffected by this scandal.

Sincerely yours ,

Concerned Filipino Citizens
concernedfilipinocitizens@gmail.com

It looks like this letter made it to the company where Jacqueline Bermejo works prompting them to issue an official statement in regards to these controversy.

CASAPRESTIGE official statement (Source: http://www.casaprestige.ae)

In regards to rumors circulating around Ms. Jacqueline Bermejo.

We would like to firstly clarify that Ms. Bermejo is not officially connected to our organization but rather helped our brand development through the offering of marketing/media advice for a temporary period being a personal friend to some of the CASAPRESTIGE team.

Having said that CASAPRESTIGE can again on a personal and professional level vouch for Ms. Bermejo to a 101% - condemning all these disturbing and groundless allegations made against her, we are 101% sure because we were with here when she went to Dubai Police and the cyber crime department a year ago and last week again having received life threatening and aggressive messages from her own countrymen forcing her to go to the Philippine embassy to form an affidavit.

To the concerned Filipino communities and individuals around the globe we urge you to not believe everything you read especially if it’s from less than credible sources such these online communities.

Facebook is not where you should be getting your information/news . . .

Instead we ask you to refer to her official statements given to GULF NEWS and other Philippine based OFFICIAL media sources:

http://rodmagaru.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/official-statement-of-jacqueline-bermejo/

please do look into it, she deserve to be heard her,

“Suppressio very expression falsi” – a suppression of truth is equivalent to an expression of falsehood as a wise person wrote in,

We also would like to point out that the numbers 0503416640/044329633 are not connected to Ms. Bermejo but are indeed CASAPRESTIGE business numbers which are unable to provide information beyond this statement.

Signed

Antonio Lupi – Managing director

Robeen R. Kobeen - operational partner

There’s really nothing here that will prove Jacque’s innocence or guiltiness. I’m just trying to present the facts of her case. Her multiply and facebook profile, allegedly hacked accounts, are already deleted, possibly vanishing along with it is the truth of this matter

We may never really find the real culprit here. Is Jacque really telling the truth about the hacked accounts or is this a case of being tactless going horribly wrong…

Hopefully, this issue will die soon. We have a lot of more important things to be concerned off rather than give in to an act with a malicious intent of destroying someone’s reputation or to the dumbness and heartlessness of an individual who give such harsh and reckless comments.

For my fellow Pinoys, please don’t be to quick to judge someone without first trying to look at the whole picture. Lets try to be fair first so we can think accordingly… Jacque Bermejo can be the real culprit, but she can also be the victim here and the real one that is responsible for all of these are just watching us enjoying the show she/he made. Don’t just believe everything you hear, watch and read on the net… The internet is a wonderful thing, it gives every genius a voice, but it also gives every idiot a voice... unfortunately, idiots outnumber the geniuses… and this case is another example of this phrase.