A popular mall chain in the Philippines has taken the spotlight after selling a peculiar yet disturbing statement t-shirt.

Netizens were very much disturbed after a photo of the said t-shirt was posted on social media network Facebook. A female mall shopper, Karen Kunawicz, spotted the shirt on sale in the boy’s section of the mall. She took a photo and posted it on her social media account which got numerous reactions from online users.

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A report from The Consumerist identified the mall chain in the Philippines as SM Store with branches nationwide and even extending to China. The now infamous t-shirt was described to be maroon colored with a statement which read, “It’s not rape..It’s a snuggle with a struggle”. An illustration of hands forming a heart can also be seen under the rape joke.

A few hours after Kunawicz posted the photo online, more than 4,000 comments were written by angered netizens. According to users, the joke on the shirt was disgusting and it is sending a twisted message to the public.

Other netizens said the statement on the shirt encourages abuse and sex crimes.

The SM Store posted an apology on their Facebook page and immediately pulled out the items from their branches.

The management’s message read as, "We have been informed via social media that we have a t-shirt in stock with a message that we too find unacceptable. We do not tolerate such action. SM does not support such irresponsible and malicious acts that mock important and sensitive social issues. We have immediately pulled out all the t-shirts of the consignor that distributes them, and we are investigating why it was included in our delivery of assorted t-shirts."

The Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center has reported more than 5,000 cases of sexual abuse in the country last year. Netizens said the repugnant message on the shirt promulgates such acts.

TagsSM Department Store, Karen Kunawicz, The Consumerist, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center