‘Fishball Warrior’ nabbed in Sept. 21 riot released by police

The 32-year-old man dubbed by netizens as the “Fishball Warrior” has been released by police after spending more than a week in detention following his arrest during the September 21 riot along Mendiola Street in Manila.

Alvin Karingal was among the 216 persons who were arrested after violence broke out during the protest against corruption in relation to the alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Atty. Maria Sol Taule, Karapatan deputy secretary general, confirmed Karingal’s release to GMA News Online.

“He was released yesterday (Tuesday, September 29) sa nanay niya,” Taule said via Messenger. “Sa ngayon po, hinyaan muna namin siya and her mother to reunite.”

(He was released yesterday to his mother. Right now, we have allowed him to be reunited with his mother.)

She added that the undisclosed charges filed against Karingal were dropped.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said rogue protesters  who were paid by unknown parties may be charged with arson, destruction of property, inciting to sedition, and sedition.

A video of Karingal went viral online during the protest. Among his calls were for the prices of fishballs, kikiam, and other street food to be lowered.

In an interview on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Karingal’s mother, Marianne, clarified that her son was not a street food vendor, but enjoys eating them.

She added that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental health condition, in 2018.

“Mahilig siyang makinig ng mga balita, mayroon po siyang pakialam sa bansa lalo na about corruption. Hirap din kami sa buhay, naso-short yung budget namin sa pagkain. Minsan wala kaming ulam,” said Marianne.

(He likes to listen to the news and cares about the country, especially issues related to corruption. We're also struggling in life. Our food budget often falls short. Sometimes, we don't even have meals.)

The Manila Police District (MPD) on Monday denied allegations that the minors and a person with disability they had taken in custody during the September 21 rallies were maltreated.

Police said the detained individuals were treated in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights said 91 minors were processed and validated by the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center and the Department of Social Welfare and Development before being turned over to the Manila Social Welfare Office.

Sixty-eight of these minors have been released to their parents, while non-Manila residents were transferred to their respective local government units. The rest remain in a youth facility awaiting to be picked up by their families. —RF, GMA Integrated News