The recent incident involving a person with disability (PWD) being violently attacked aboard a bus on EDSA is both heartbreaking and deeply troubling. It is a painful reminder that despite all the progress we claim to have made, inclusivity and understanding remain elusive in our everyday realities. The victim, identified as Mac-Mac, was not only physically harmed but also stripped of his dignity, an act that no human being deserves, especially someone already navigating life with unique challenges. This is not just a case of public violence; it is a reflection of how we, as a society, continue to fail the most vulnerable among us.
This incident highlights a glaring gap in our collective awareness and compassion toward individuals with mental and developmental disabilities. Instead of responding with patience or empathy, the people on that bus reacted with fear, hostility, and violence. What should have been an opportunity to extend kindness turned into an episode of cruelty. It calls into question how well we have been preparing our citizens, especially those in public-facing role,s to understand and respect those who may act, speak, or behave differently.
We must also confront the uncomfortable reality that there were people in that bus, such as passengers, a driver, and a conductor who either watched in silence or failed to intervene meaningfully. This failure to act speaks volumes about how desensitized we may have become. It is not enough to condemn what happened after the fact. What we need is a conscious and consistent effort to instill a culture of responsibility, where protecting others—especially the vulnerable—is everyone’s duty, not an option.
This is where systemic reforms must come in. It is high time that we enforce mandatory sensitivity training for all personnel in the public transport system. Drivers, conductors, and even commuters need to understand how to engage with people with disabilities respectfully and safely. More than protocols, what we need is a shift in mindset—one that normalizes inclusion and teaches empathy not just as a concept, but as a daily practice.
Public awareness campaigns must also play a stronger role in reshaping narratives around disability. Let us create safe, inclusive spaces not only through policy but through public dialogue, education, and community engagement. People need to know that conditions such as autism, intellectual disabilities, or mental health disorders are not reasons for fear or aggression. They are calls for understanding. And the more we talk about it, the more we can break the stigma that leads to violence like what Mac-Mac experienced.
At the heart of it all, this is a call for humanity. We cannot build a truly inclusive society if we leave persons with disabilities behind—or worse, allow them to be harmed without consequence. We all have to remember that inclusivity is not just about providing ramps and priority lanes; it is about building a culture where people are seen, heard, and protected regardless of their abilities. We owe it to people like Mac-Mac and to ourselves to do better.