CHARGES await the individuals responsible for molesting two female motorcycle riders who passed by along Barangay Wilfredo Aquino in Agdao, Davao City during the welcoming of the New Year.
On January 1, 2021, a video went viral showing some residents in corner Sarphil Village and Sitio Bulakan in Wilfredo Aquino throwing tin roof, mud, water and even human feces to vehicles and individuals passing by the area.
Another video can be seen showing two female motorcycle riders being barred and their shirts ripped off by the residents. The video also showed the residents touching their private parts.
One of the victims posted on her social media account that they celebrated the New Year at their classmate's house in the barangay, which is near their office.
She said the harassment happened on their way home.
As they reached the area, the victim said they saw ahead more or less 30 men.
"I thought naa bangga kay daghan tao tapos wala ko kabalo giharangan mi didtoa na nagstart ang incident. Gipalong akoang motor, gibira akoang motor, gilabayan og [balas] akoang mata. As in tibook nawong. Halos wala nakoy makita. Gibunalan [sab] mig kahoy ug mga sanga sa puno na asta daghan pag kahoy," she said.
(I thought there was a collision since there were many people around. I didn't realize that they were barring us. That was when the incident started. They turned off my motorcycle, yanked it away from me and threw sand in my eyes -- my whole face. I could hardly see anything. We were also whacked with wood and twigs.)
Meanwhile, in a livestream interview with Imbestigador Southern Mindanao, a local radio program, another victim revealed that this was not the first time this happened in the area.
It was revealed during the face off that the suspects involved were their neighbor.
In the livestream, some of the suspects were apprehended and brought to the Sta. Ana Police Station.
SunStar Davao is still trying to reach out to Barangay Captain Gregorio Obial for further information on the incident. However, he already said in a radio interview on dxDC RMN Davao that they immediately searched the persons involved in the incident.
Obial apologized to the victims and assured them that the incident will not happen again.
In a text message, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Spokesperson Captain Rose Aguilar said the victims will no longer pursue filing cases against the suspects.
"Nadakpan na ang mga suspects ato, pero pag-abot nila sa station, naluoy ang mga duha sa victim kay silingan ra man [diay] to nila, and wala na nila gipasakaan og kaso," Aguilar said.
The police official encouraged other victims to file their blotter for filing of cases.
Meanwhile, both the barangay and police are still searching for others who were involved in the incident.
She said the suspects will be facing different charges if proven guilty. These are physical injury, alarm and scandal, and acts of lasciviousness.
Netizens, including some residents of the area, condemned the incident, even slamming barangay officials for failing to immediately respond to the incident.