Boss Toyo Issues Public Apology Following Subic Dumpsite Backlash
BOSS TOYO – The content creator apologized after receiving criticism for his comments about the controversial dumpsite in Subic, Zambales featured in Kara David’s I-Witness documentary Ibinasurang Paraiso.
The documentary revealed that an Aeta ancestral land had been used as a dumpsite by the local government since 2019. Aeta residents said the garbage disposal site polluted their environment, affected their water source and livelihood, and forced some families to leave. In 2022, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared the dumpsite illegal for violating the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, but it reportedly continued operating until March 2026.
After the documentary gained public attention, Boss Toyo visited the site and shared that he did not notice a foul odor. He also said the residents he spoke with claimed they did not smell anything unusual. He added that the waste appeared to be segregated and mostly consisted of plastics. He urged the public to reduce plastic use, saying waste management is a shared responsibility and should not be blamed entirely on government agencies.
His remarks quickly drew criticism, with many netizens saying they appeared to contradict the documentary’s findings. Several pointed out that Kara David’s report was based on weeks of research, interviews with the Aeta community, government officials, and environmental authorities. Kara later clarified that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples confirmed the area is ancestral land, while the DENR ordered the dumpsite’s closure because it was operating illegally. She also noted that the local government acknowledged accountability in the documentary.
In response, Boss Toyo apologized and clarified that he never intended to defend the dumpsite or the local government. He explained that he only shared what he personally observed and the information given to him during his visit. He accepted the public’s criticism, emphasized that he did not want to argue with anyone, and reiterated his hope that the issue would encourage Filipinos to reduce plastic waste and help protect the environment.