Netizen Blames President Duterte for the Death of It's Showtime’s Hashtag Member Franco Hernandez

Franco Hernandez, a member of ABS-CBN noontime "It's Showtime" boy group Hashtags drowned in Davao Occidental on Saturday afternoon, November 11. But while his family, fans, and the show hosts were mourning, a netizen blamed no less than President Rodrigo Duterte for the tragedy. Below is the screenshot of his comment on a Facebook post.



According to the police, the incident happened when Franco Hernandez, his girlfriend and another Hashtags member, Tom Doromal, were in a motorized banca on their way back to North Lamidan, Don Marcelino. People who were also on board the same boat said that a strong wave hit them, causing Hernandez and his girlfriend to fall off the boat.

Both of them were retrieved but Hernandez was already unconscious. He was brought to a clinic in Malita town, where he was later on declared dead on arrival. When the news broke out, Franco’s fans and celebrities like Gretchen Ho and “It’s Showtime” hosts Vice Ganda and Kim Chiu rushed to Twitter and expressed their condolences.

Born Franco Miguel Hernandez Lumanlan, the 26-year old performer joined Hashtags last February, and was introduced as the "Hataw Heartthrob" among the new members. In his official Instagram account, he describes himself as "fun-loving and adaptable." He even post some of his photos during his travel to Davao Occidental, hours before he drown.

Meanwhile, a netizen named Prince Stephen Nozari commented on a Facebook post about Franco Hernandez’ death. According to him, President Duterte shoud be blamed for the incident. He said that instead of killing drug addicts, the president should have assigned lifeguards in every river, and that Duterte is an irresponsible president.



This Wednesday, November 15, "It's Showtime" paid tribute to Franco Hernandez. Vice Ganda and other Hashtag members were very emotional as they paid their last respects to him. “Umuwi na po sya sa kanyang tunay na tahanan. Wala na yung anak kong conio. Wala na po yung anak kong mayaman. Nalagasan ako ng isang anak,” Vice Ganda said.

Contributed by Karenina Saulo