Bacolod City Hall
BACOLOD CITY – A food delivery driver was honored for his heroic deed that led to the disarming of a mentally ill woman who was brandishing a bladed weapon on Valentine’s Day.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on February 26 gave Arnold Malba a certificate of appreciation for his deed and a reward of P50,000 from his personal funds.
He also commended Malba for going the extra mile to help.
Benitez said honoring Malba was part of his “Be the Change” program that recognized good deeds by ordinary citizens.
Malba, 33 and a resident of Barangay Granada, is a former security guard and Overseas Filipino worker.
He is working part-time as a Maxim food driver and runs a food cart.
On Valentine’s Day, Malba was buying a pot for his food cart when he saw a woman brandishing a knife at the Circumferential Road in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod city.
She didn’t notice Malba because she was facing the crowd, armed policemen and guards.
Malba decided to drive near her and grabbed her from her back.
After subduing the woman, Malba drove off because the pot was needed in his food cart.
Malba said he was surprised to learn that Mayor Benitez was looking for him after the video of him subduing a woman had gone viral.
He said he didn’t expect any recognition.
Malba recalled only intervened he did because he didn’t want anyone to get hurt, including the woman.