MANILA, Philippines — The recent viral video of a man holding onto the side of a moving jeepney and punching a passenger inside was not a case of snatching, authorities said on Monday, Nov. 18.
The man seen in the video was identified as a certain “Jomar” at a press conference at the Manila City Hall called by Mayor Isko Moreno.
The video was taken on Sunday morning on Taft Avenue.
According to Jomar, who was invited by Moreno to the press conference, an unidentified man groped the partner of his friend, “Edison”.
Edison, who was also at the press conference, claimed that the man, a taxi driver, punched him first before the driver attempted to escape and jumped onto a jeepney.
Jomar and Edison ran after the taxi driver and caught up with him with Jomar holding on the side of the jeepney and Edison inside.
“It is clear that this was rooted in something,” said Moreno in Filipino. “This was not a case of robbery or snatching. It was a personal fight,” he said.
Moreno, however, advised Jomar and Edison to trust authorities and seek help instead.
“Next time, do not put the law in your hands. Keep on trusting and I hope you trust the city government of Manila and the police authorities again,” the mayor said.
The Manila Police said that Edison’s partner already refused to file a case against the man who groped her./Edited by TSB