In the wake of public scrutiny following the untimely passing of Juan Paolo “Paowee” Tantoco, matriarch Nena Tantoco issued a deeply personal message to family, friends, and close communities, expressing both grief and concern over the narratives surrounding her son’s death.

The message, addressed to relatives and lifelong friends of the Tantoco family, clarified details regarding the initial findings of the autopsy report, which have since circulated widely online.

“This is about Paowee’s death and the partial autopsy report,” she wrote. “The reason it's partial is because the organ-by-organ analysis and toxicology and autopsy report is not yet done.”

Citing the early findings, she stated: “The report says death by accident, cocaine effects, and heart disease.” However, she noted that many reports circulating online have selectively focused on one aspect.

“Social media and news, as expected, are spreading cocaine overdose [claims], leaving out other details including that the full report is still pending,” she said.

"Media will magnify the drug use in order to create drama — even if it adds to the misery and grief that our family is already experiencing, and even if it assassinates the character of the good person that is Paowee,” she said. “Their intention is more malicious than it is to convey the truth.”

She urged those who knew Paowee personally to remember his impact beyond the headlines.

“The media will omit the fact that Paowee was a very good person who very positively improved lives through his work and lifted the lives of the poor and marginalized. You all loved him and you found him so humble, endearing, and caring even amidst his weaknesses.”

Her message closed with a quiet but hopeful call to prayer, invoking faith and community support in the face of mourning.

“I am sorry this had to happen. I pray with intensity to the Holy Trinity, especially the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Family that this too will pass, and that this pain and grief will be turned into blessings of joy and peace and to more clarity of God’s loving plan for us,” she said.