A man on crutches allegedly always hung out at the EDSA Carousel in Ortigas City to beg for alms. But when a traffic marshal confronted him, he released the crutch and ran fast to chase the authorities.
As reported by Dano Tingcungco on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the video of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) shows a marshal following a man on crutches to the end of the busway.
It happened on the Ortigas busway-southbound on the EDSA Carousel before 5:30 p.m. this Tuesday.
Despite the marshal’s warning, the man on crutches still passed by on the road, so he followed and reprimanded him again.
But the man pulled out a knife and lowered the crutch, and chased the enforcer who ran away from him.
According to the marshall identified as Seaman Second Julius Abundol of the Philippine Coast Guard, he received a complaint from two commuters. The complainants said when they refused to give the man money, he cursed and drew a knife.
“Sabi ko ‘Sir tumabi po kayo’ kasi nga gawa ng natatakot na ‘yung mga commuters na nakapila. Noong naglalakad kami rito, papunta kami sa poste parang may binubunot siya. Sinasabihan ko na ‘Sir umalis na po kayo’ kasi naglalakad siya, minumura niya po ako,” said Abundol.
Man on crutches suddenly ran to stab traffic marshall
Abundol was supposed to help the man cross to the other side of the EDSA sidewalk away from the commuters, but he ran tried to stab him.
“Sa isipan ko sir, nakasaklay eh, tapos nakatakbo?!” said Abundol.
A police escort from the Highway Patrol Group arrived and helped Abundol control the man and get the knife.
The man is suspected of having a mental condition.
Abundol allegedly gave the man money and took him to Baclaran.
The marshall never got the man’s name.
In a statement, I-ACT said it saw the man nicknamed “Ariel” on the EDSA Carousel busway throwing the bus, swearing at passengers, and possibly having a mental problem.
I-ACT added that they had increased surveillance to ensure the safety of passengers.
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