Bulgar defends printing Catriona Gray fake photos: We’re here ‘to help clear your name’

Bulgar entertainment editor Janice Navida, a respondent in a complaint filed by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, defended the tabloid’s decision to run nude photos manipulated to look like they were the beauty queen’s.

“I hope too that you may see our intention to help you in clearing your name to the whole universe that the nude photo circulating online is fake and edited only, that’s why when we learned about your clarification on the matter, we quickly posted your camp’s statement on our Facebook page and website to enlighten everybody about that controversial photo,” said Navida in a statement posted on Tuesday, August 4, on the tabloid’s website.

Catriona had earlier demanded an apology and a settlement of P10 million from Bulgar for spreading fake topless photos of her.

Navida insisted they did not mean to malign Catriona’s reputation. Their entertainment editor insisted that they published the fake photos in print and on their Facebook page “to protect” the beauty queen.

“By not releasing the original photo sent to us, instead we blurred the private part because our intention is not to those the readers that ‘eliciting to the mind’ portion but just to inform everyone that there’s someone or maybe a group of people that want to destroy you,” she said.

“I understand how you felt when this news came out. It’s a natural reaction of a person being destroyed helplessly, especially you’re holding the most prestigious title. But please consider to understand that we are here not to be your enemy but to help you clear your name ‘coz we know the feeling that you are being talked about behind your back and have no way to defend yourself,” she added.

You can read the whole statement here.

Navida said she hopes Catriona would understand that the publication is “on her side,” adding that they support her decision to file a complaint against those who circulated the fake photos online.

The fake photos were the subject of Catriona’s visit to the National Bureau of Investigation on July 21. There, she filed a complaint against those responsible for spreading the said fake nude photos.

The demand letter from Catriona’s lawyer, which was sent to the Bulgar office, named the individuals supposedly involved in spreading the photos, including Bulgar editor Navida and writer Melba Llanera.

The NBI said it would help Catriona’s team in filing the appropriate cases.

Catriona had made headlines after her ex-boyfriend, model and actor Clint Bondad, posted cryptic messages alluding to their past relationship. Bondad had even posted on Instagram stories a supposed message he sent to Sam Milby, Gray’s current boyfriend. – Rappler.com