The SM management has pulled out the "RAPE" merchandise t-shirts being sold in their stores after an online outrage sparked in social media, with most netizens saying that the shirt's message "defends and promotes" rape.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, SM assured the public that the shirt “will be pulled out immediately.”
SM said:
“We’ve been informed via social media that we might be stocking a t-shirt with a message that we too find unacceptable. We are investigating on how it was even displayed and will be pulled out immediately,”
"We do not tolerate such action. SM does not support such irresponsible and malicious acts that mock important and sensitive social issues. We have immediately pulled out all the t-shirts of the consignor that distributes them, and we are investigating why it was included in our delivery of assorted t-shirts."
SM added that "appropriate action will be taken to ensure that this does not happen again."
On Monday, writer and poet Karen Kunawicz posted a photo of a shirt sold in SM that said “It’s not rape, it’s a snuggle with a struggle,” sparking outrage among Filipino netizens.
Comments flooded the internet saying they find the message of the shirt “disgusting,” “twisted” and “wrong." -- Source: ABS-CBN news