Singer Billy Crawford explains Taguig arr.est
The television host says he was neither drunk nor under the influence of drugs when he was arrested, and clarified he did not physically assault police officers
MANILA, Philippines – Singer and host Billy Crawford said he was neither drunk nor under the influence of drugs when he was arrested last September 7.Crawford was charged with malicious mischief. An earlier report said that Crawford had arrived at a police precinct at Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig with an unknown woman to ask officers for assistance. When he was told that he would be driven to the police headquarters, Crawford reportedly turned violent and assaulted the female desk officer at the precinct. He also allegedly punched a a glass door.
In an interview with Boy Abunda on The Buzz this Sunday, September 14, Crawford clarified the circumstances of the incident.
“This is the first time that I am actually going to speak about this, and mas malinaw sa lahat. Unang-una po sa lahat, sa mga spekulasyon ng mga tao, na kami ni Coleen nag-away or something – lets put that to rest. She had nothing to do with this,” he said.
(This is the first time that I am actually going to speak about this, to make everything clear. First of all, regarding speculations that [girlfriend] Coleen [Garcia] and I were fighting or something – let’s put that to rest. She had nothing to do with this.)
He emphasized Garcia’s place in his life. “She means the world to me,” he said.
According to Crawford, he, Garcia and a number of friends were in a club at The Fort. It was there that people began to goad him.
“To be honest with you when you go to clubs and you are a celebrity, madaming nangsisira ng araw mo. There were a few guys that no one knew who ended up in the same section we were and they kept pointing fingers and laughing. Nangiinis sa amin sa la mesa, nangaasar na. Ako medyo I’m at my guard now. I am with Coleen I don’t want anything to happen to her, including our friends and for myself as well, parang sige alis na lang tayo. Let’s go,” he said.
(To be honest with you when you go to clubs and you are a celebrity, there are many people who will annoy you. There were a few guys that no one knew who ended up in the same section we were and they kept pointing fingers and laughing. They were trying to irritate us at the table, mocking us. Me, I’m at my guard now. I am with Coleen I don’t want anything to happen to her, including our friends and for myself as well, so it was like, fine, let’s leave. Let’s go).
Crawford admitted to having had a few drinks, but insisted he was not drunk. He was upset, he said, and was beginning to feel irritated.
“Napa-upo lang ako sa curb and nanginginig na ako sa hindi ko alam kung ano ang naiisip ko,” he said.
(I suddenly found myself sitting on the curb, shaking, and I didn’t know what I was thinking anymore).
He said he called one of Garcia’s friends, who was with him when he saw the police precinct.
“I saw the precinct and walked over. I just needed to calm down and felt I needed to seek for help,” he said.
Arrest and drug test
Billy also clarfied allegations he was under the influence of drugs when he entered the police station. Officers asked him if he was willing to take a drug test. He agreed, claiming he had nothing to hide.
“I do not do drugs and I never will. So I did my drug test and it was negative as usual,” he said.
He also said that he did not physically attack anyone at the station.
Crawford called the situation an eye-opener. He apologized to the public, saying he should have been more responsible. He also said he is grateful for the support demonstrated by both Garcia and ABS-CBN. The broadcasting network on Thursday clarified that Crawford had not been suspended from his hosting duties on It’s Showtime, and was instead only offered time to rest.
The incident, he said, is “a test and a lesson from God.”
“God will prevail and he will make my soggy road into better pastures, into something sturdy. I was walking on thin ice. I’m all over the place, and we all live and learn and the best way to learn is through Him.”
