MANILA, Philippines?Entertainment writers on Tuesday demanded a public apology from film director Tikoy Aguiluz for assaulting columnist Danny Vibas in a media gathering for the Dekada Cinemanila International Film Festival on Sunday.

The members of the Entertainment Press Society (Enpress) and the Alyansang Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima), in separate statements, said they "condemn the act of violence" that Aguiluz inflicted on Vibas.

'Blinded by rage'

According to the statements, Cinemanila festival organizer Aguiluz threw a punch at Vibas during a press conference at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. "Without provocation, [Aguiluz] suddenly pushed Vibas, who fell from his chair. [Aguiluz] said, 'lumaban ka!' then started punching Vibas," the Enpress statement claimed. Regaining his composure, Aguiluz reportedly said he regretted punching the columnist. He said he got blinded by rage.

The alleged cause of Aguiluz's behavior were the disparaging articles on Cinemanila that Vibas wrote in the Manila Times three years ago when he was still the paper's assistant entertainment editor, the Enpress statement pointed out. Vibas denied writing anything derogatory about the festival.

Vibas said Aguiluz's outburst could have given him a heart attack. Although the incident left him with a bruised cheek and cut lip, Vibas said filing charges of physical injuries and assault were unnecessary, according to the Enpress statement.

Whatever agony the said write-ups might have caused Direk Tikoy, the Enpress said an act of violence was totally uncalled for.

"Sorry is not enough," said Afima. "The act is contemptuous."

Inquirer Entertainment tried to reach Aguiluz for comment, but the director said he was in Clark, Pampanga, at press time. "I would like to assure you that whatever happened had nothing to do with anything [Vibas] wrote... I'm a supporter of press freedom and freedom of expression," he said in a text message on Tuesday.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph