Man mauled, killed on Christmas Day after 'catcalling' incident

A man was beaten to death during a Christmas Day brawl in Sampaloc, Manila that was allegedly caused by a catcalling incident.

According to a 24 Oras report by Darlene Cay on Tuesday, CCTV footage of Galicia Street showed Molan Villamor being beaten by a group of men even after the victim had already fallen on the pavement.

The suspects also tried to attack another man who tried to stop the fight.

Villamor was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Investigation revealed the fight began after a group of men who were having a drinking session that Villamor was part of, allegedly catcalled a passing woman.|

“Tinawag siya ng isa sa mga nag-iinuman na yun, kung saan medyo hindi naging maganda ang dating sa babae, kaya nagsumbong siya sa kaniyang mga magulang,” said Manila Police District Homicide Chief Police Captain Dennis Turla.

(She was called by one of the men who were drinking. The woman got offended so she told her parents.)

The woman’s relatives reportedly confronted the victim’s group but was unable to settle their differences.

After a few minutes, the victim’s group approached the suspects to apologize but were instead attacked.

“Akala namin okay na. Noong paalis na kami, pagtalikod, biglang may sumapak sa pinsang kong nasa likod,” said Darwin Domingo, a relative of the the victim.
 

(We thought it was all okay. When we were about to leave and turned our backs, someone suddenly punched my cousin who was in the back.)

“’Yun nga yung masakit eh. Yung part na hindi niya naman kasalanan. Gusto niya lang humingi ng pasensiya dahil sa hindi niya kasalanan. Doon pa siya napahamak,” he added.

 (That really hurt. The part where it wasn’t his fault. He just wanted to apologize for something that wasn’t his fault. That’s what got him in trouble.)

Police arrested five suspects, including the 18-year old woman who was allegedly catcalled.

“Inutusan lang po akong bumili ng itlog sa sulukan, tapos biglang may tumawag sa akin. Tinawag lang po akong ‘idol.’ Pagkasitsit po sakin, tinuro ako. Tapos sabi niya, ‘ito ito idol ko ito’ hanggang sa sumagot ako tapos bigla na lang nagmura ang isang lalaki. Sa sobrang galit din po, kasi tinawanan din po ako ng lalaki na yun e,” the woman said.

(I was only told to buy an egg at the corner when someone suddenly called me. They called me ‘idol.’ They called my attention and pointed at me, then one of them said ‘There’s my idol’. I answered and one man crused at me. I was really angry, since he also laughed at me.)

“Dinepensahan ko lang din po ang sarili ko. Sobrang gulo na rin kasi noong time na 'yun,” added one of the other suspects.

(I was only defending myself. It was really confusing at that time.)

The family of the victim denied the suspects’ allegations.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News