Kin of PWD in bus assault files child abuse complaint vs. 6 alleged assailants

The family of the 25-year-old person with disability (PWD) who was assaulted and tased inside a bus in June on Wednesday filed a child abuse complaint with the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against six of his alleged assailants.

The complaint was for violation of Section 10(a) of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. It was filed with assistance from the Department of Transportation.

Among the respondents are the driver and conductor of the bus.

“Hindi makatao ang kalupitan at pagpapabaya… Tinuring siyang hayop at pinagtatawanan sa internet ng mga nag co-comment. Dahil meron siyang intellectual  disability, hindi niya kayang protektahan at lumaban sa mga nagmalupit, nagsamantala, at nagpabaya sa kanya,” the family said.

(The cruelty and neglect are inhumane… He was treated like an animal and mocked on the internet by those commenting. Due to his intellectual disability, he couldn’t protect himself or fight back against those who abused, exploited, and neglected him.)

According to the family, the passenger was assaulted, kicked, tased, and dragged out of the bus at the Ayala Station of the EDSA Carousel in Makati City on June 9. 

The family said that when he got home, he sustained a bump on his head and eyes as well as bruises. He also had taser marks on various parts of his body.

The victim’s family said they only discovered what happened after watching the viral video of the passenger being assaulted.

Meanwhile, the family argued that even though the victim is already 25 years old, he is considered a “child” due to his intellectual disability.

They also said that the assault on the passenger was physical abuse while the act of ordering him to disembark from the bus without medical treatment led to serious effects on his health.

“Bukod pa dito, ang kapabayaan o neglect… habang ginagawa nila ang tungkulin bilang driver at konduktor ay maituturing na pang aabuso ayon sa Section 3 sa isang batang katulad ni [redacted] lalo pa at nagtamo ng mga bukol at taser marks si [redacted] sa ulo,” they said.

(Apart from this, the neglect… while performing their duties as driver and conductor can be considered abuse under Section 3 against a child like [redacted], especially since [redacted] sustained lumps and taser marks on the head.)

They asked the prosecutors to file charges against the individuals. — RF, GMA Integrated News