#InquirerSeven Most Eye-Popping Stories of Viral Justice of 2014

MANILA, Philippines –  With the last days of 2014 winding down, join INQUIRER.net in looking back at the seven biggest stories of the year that not only went viral but also caught the attention of authorities and forced them to act.

This third of seven #InquirerSeven listicles remembers the seven Most Eye-popping Stories of Viral Justice of 2014.

Read the full list of the Inquirer #BestOfSeven 2014 Yearender special.

1. CRIME TALES IN TAXIS GO VIRAL

Taxi scams in 2014 and their different modi operandi quickly went from fictional tales to the new normal, as people shared their stories on social media and standard media paid close and quick attention. Mobile apps for hiring taxis grew in popularity, but caution is still very much the order of the day.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Cabs, Chemicals and Crime
• Mall guards nab cabbie linked to 2 Makati holdups
• Taxi driver shoots woman in face in Pasig holdup

2. MMDA ‘KOTONG’ AT EDSA

A netizen shared on the Facebook page of Top Gear Philippines a video of an MMDA traffic enforcer accepting payments from bus conductors to be allowed to get more passengers, thus causing traffic in the area. The MMDA has suspended the officer.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Watch original video
• Go ahead, catch erring MMDA men on video

3. KIDNAPPING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

It was a scene straight out of an action movie. Several men surrounded a vehicle with guns drawn in the middle of Edsa. A netizen witnessed the incident and posted a photo, which immediately went viral. It was later found that Quezon City policemen were behind the brazen kidnapping.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Photo of alleged gun-poking scene on Edsa surfaces on Web, goes viral
• 9 QC cops sacked over Edsa gun-poking incident
• Case closed: Full story on Edsa gun-poking incident

4. RAPE SHIRTS AND JOKES

A netizen shared on social media a photo of a shirt with the words “It’s not rape, it’s a snuggle with a struggle,” being sold in a mall. Months later, a model shared on Instagram a photo with the caption, “If rape is inevitable, [lie] back and enjoy it.” The shirt was later recalled and the photos deleted.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Netizens furious over ‘rape t-shirt’
• SM pulls ‘rape’ shirt after online fury
• TV actress slammed for ‘enjoy rape’ post

5. MODEL EVADES TICKET USING PNP OFFICIAL’S CALLING CARD

A sexy model drew the ire of netizens after she shared a photo of a police officer’s calling card on social media, bragging that she was able to avoid a traffic violation because of it. Both Alyzza Agustin and Police Director Alexander Ignacio later denied knowing each other.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Did model evade ticket with help of police official’s card?
• Police official denies link with model who used his alleged business card
• Alyzza Agustin says sorry for calling card controversy, denies knowing PNP exec

6. MASERATI DRIVER VS MMDA

The driver of a Maserati sports car, identified as Joseph Ingco, allegedly punched and dragged MMDA traffic enforcer Jorbe Adriatico after he was flagged for a traffic violation. Ingco’s license has since been revoked by the LTO and charges have been filed against him.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Maserati driver:Truth will out
• Maserati ‘bully’ loses driver’s license
• Palace backs traffic enforcer mauled by Maserati driver in traffic case

7. THE BOY WHO CRIED ‘HOLDUP’

A young pandesal vendor was seen crying after he was allegedly robbed. Police later said the boy lied and suspect he made the story up because he was afraid his mother would beat him for not selling enough bread.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Watch the video here
• Did the ‘pandesal’ vendor kid lie about being robbed?