Marcus Adoro withdraws from Eraserheads’ upcoming project as new abuse allegations surface

The Filipino music scene is currently abuzz with news regarding the iconic band, Eraserheads. Frontman Ely Buendia recently announced that guitarist Marcus Adoro will be stepping away from an upcoming band project amidst renewed public attention to past abuse allegations.

Buendia’s statement, released on April 6th, acknowledged the recent online discussions. He emphasized the band's stance: "As proponents of justice, we unequivocally condemn all criminal acts and stand against abuse in any form. Above all, we seek the truth." This statement comes as the band prepares for their Electric Fun Music Festival, scheduled for May 31st.

The decision follows allegations that resurfaced online in late March, where a Reddit user detailed accusations of rape against Adoro dating back to high school, claiming there were "countless" other victims. These recent claims are not the first time Adoro has faced such accusations.

In 2019, Adoro's daughter, singer Syd Hartha, publicly shared her experiences of alleged physical abuse by her father. She detailed instances of physical harm and shared online conversations, including disturbing messages. Barbara Ruaro, Adoro's former partner, has also previously come forward with abuse allegations.

When the Eraserheads announced their reunion concert in 2022, a segment of fans voiced their opposition to Adoro's inclusion due to these past accusations. While Adoro issued an open letter to his daughter at the time, he ultimately participated in the reunion concert.

Band members Buddy Zabala and Raymund Marasigan have previously addressed the situation. Zabala expressed solidarity with Syd Hartha and Ruaro in a 2022 interview, while Buendia's manager stated that resolving the issues was a condition for Buendia working with Adoro again. Marasigan also indicated a willingness to discuss the matter privately with Adoro.

Despite the earlier controversies and fan concerns, Adoro remained part of the band's reunion concert in December 2022. The Eraserheads have since embarked on new projects, including a documentary and the upcoming Electric Fun Music Festival, which they are self-organizing.

Buendia had previously indicated the band's long-term plans, stating they were back "for good, until [they] break up again" at the documentary's screening in March. As of now, Marcus Adoro has not released a public statement regarding his withdrawal from the upcoming festival.