Street kids caught dragging old man in viral video claim they were only avenging a friend he allegedly molested

The street kids featured in a viral video showing them ganging up on an old man riding a jeepney have claimed that they were only avenging their friend whom the man allegedly molested, Pilipino Star Ngayon reported yesterday.

Netizen Nathaniel Javier Jamolin caught the kids harassing the man and posted a video of the incident on Facebook on Friday. The police caught the kids a few hours after the video went viral.

The video shows the children dragging the old man out of the jeepney, which was stuck in traffic on Taft Ave. corner Pedro Gil in Manila. They also took the man’s bag.

Pilipino Star Ngayon reported that the 13 street kids were between the ages of 9 and 16 and that they have no permanent homes. Seven out of the 13 children admitted that they harassed the victim but said they were only avenging a friend whom the old man allegedly molested.

The same report said that before the incident occurred, the old man was begging for alms along with a 16-year-old woman.

One passerby gave the old man a hamburger, which was supposed to be for him and the woman. When the woman asked for half of the burger, he refused to give it to her and allegedly mashed her breasts.

This reportedly sparked a heated argument between the two, until the old man allegedly grabbed a barbecue skewer and threatened to stab her.

The woman told her friends about the alleged molestation incident, which led the group to drag the old man from the jeepney.

The minors told authorities that they weren’t stealing anything from him but were instead trying to get the barbecue skewer he had, Pilipino Star Ngayon stated.

The man can face charges for violating Republic Act No. 7610, also known as Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, for allegedly committing acts of lasciviousness against his victim, the report added.

Meanwhile, the 13 minors are under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Manila Bulletin stated.

Last week, another gang of teens robbed jeepney passengers along Macapagal Ave. The group also harassed the passengers when the vehicle was stuck in traffic. Another incident happened late last month where street children stole a jeepney driver’s earnings, also in Taft Ave.