A 20-year-old Japanese national was arrested upon plane disembarkation after a co-passenger complained of alleged lewd act.
A seatmate of the Japanese national complained to flight attendants that she saw the man fondled his privates.
The incident happened reportedly at 5:48 in the morning of March 7, 2024 while they were in a flight from Manila to Cebu.
The woman took a video of the Japanese national while he was stroking something in his groins, sliding reportedly his hand inside his pants, and back in between his legs.
The woman said she thought the man was at first trying to fish out something from his pocket, but to her horror, she said, she saw him fondling his privates.
"Nakikita na may inaano siya down there. Parang hinimas-himas. So sabi baka naman hindi kasi baka di ba naman may kinuha lang. Minsan may mga ganoon lang. Pero parang ilang beses na nahuhuli ko siya. As in pinapasok yung hands nya. As in tinitingnan ko siya kasi as in nakikita ko na tapos, i-triny ko na siyang videohan," the woman said.
She put the incident on video despite feeling shivery, she said, to show proof.
"Buti na lang yung instinct ko kanina, inano ko na talaga. Sabi ko isusumbong ko na to kasi parang ilang minuto na niya ginagawa yun before ko totally siya na-video kasi sabi ko pagwala akong proof, wala talo ako," the woman added.
She asked assistance from a flight attendant to be transferred to another seat.
Flight crew alerted the airport police of the incident.
"Nahitabo man gud, bale mahimo nang citizens arrest ni kay siya man juy nakasaksi sa panghitabo. Ang among tropa naga-ano lang kami. Nagaresponde lang kami during that upon arrival," Police Major Ricky Calong, chief of the Mactan Cebu Airport Police, said.
The news team sought comment from the Japanese national but he refused an interview.
The Japanese national will face charges for violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Safe Spaces Act (Anti-Bastos Law).
The woman is determined to file charges to set an example for women to always stand up against persons who allegedly are threats to safe spaces.
"I will push through with the charges kasi I think intentionally niya na ginawa yun kasi alam mo yun di ba, when you're doing something and someone looks at you, you should stop it na di ba? Pero kasi siya parang ayun nga mas na-satisfy siya na na-aaware ako on what he is doing," the complainant further said.
