Chasing Revenge and Justice (A Personal Story)

11/22/2014 3:56:20 PM 

For all of my followers, I apologized for being too quiet lately (I mean, I haven’t made more new postings recently). Aside from having a bunch of stress, burnouts, and breakdowns on several aspects of our daily lives, I just encountered something that is really horrifying, yet at the same time was really, really wonderful encounter. 

Yes, I have no idea why and how it happened. Though I hope you will have something to ponder on as you read this story.

Tuesday evening, 18th of November 2014, around 6:30 in the evening, while me and my six other colleagues were walking on our way home across G. Araneta Avenue, some random young-yet-wasted looking fella snatched my phone away. 

At first, I thought somebody was making a joke on me (but honestly I never liked somebody who just takes my headset off while I’m listening to something). Perhaps that triggered me to chase those two bastards, creating commotion in the process. One was donning a black shirt and short outfit, while the other wore a white top. 

I guess I am quite lucky for unleashing the runner in me when I caught him a few seconds later and attempting to wrestle my phone back. At first, I would have thought of snatching it back and running away with it. 

But heck, no. I was wrong. The guy may be a bit smaller than me but he pulled a blow on my mouth. As I fell on the pavement, I drag the guy down like a takedown while forcibly grabbing my phone back. 

Another young fella joined the fray on mauling me, yelling “Don’t fight back on us!” (Wag ka nang pumalag!) at the same time. They got away with that white-cased Nokia Lumia 630 model, while I struggle a bit to get up, picking up the coins I have left and a dismantled dog tag which I think then was part of the culprit’s get-up. 

I know, you just can’t imagine in dismay such crime would happen at broad early nightlight with the presence of people walking home from their respective workplaces. 

Few seconds later, the peacekeeping crew (bunches of barangay tanod) of Brgy. Sto. Domingo arrived on the scene, checking on me and my bloodied mouth; while one of my officemates gave me a handkerchief to cover it and prevent the bleeding. 

I was then brought to their Barangay Hall to report the incident, while three of my colleagues also came to accompany me. Later then, we were informed the culprits were captured, and the belonging was still at helm though my SIM cards weren’t there anymore. As I see their vehicle, my vision went totally dark, seeking the much-needed revenge. 

Good thing the altercation never occurred though after being pacified by both the Barangay Tanod and my companions. 

Since then we were sent to city’s Police Station 1 situated along La Loma, Quezon City, then to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for medico legal, then back to Presinto Uno to get our statement. 

It was a Tuesday night which changed the present pace of my life. It was five mind-fucking strange hours where I noticed a lot of flaws in our justice system as a whole. 

One of the suspects aged 16 or even 17. And to think that the Juvenile Justice Law had a lot of loopholes for the past few years, come to think on the fact that these kids can do anything without being liable on the criminal aspect. 

Another: the cost. You’re the aggravated one, yet you will spend spare amounts of money for the medico legal of these people who almost threatened your life. Are you guys so fucking serious? In Filipino, Kami na ang naagrabyado tapos kami pa ang gagastos sa mga kupal na 'yan? And this is where the hashtag #NasaanAngHustisya applies very well. 

And lastly, time: Justice may be really deserving when it was served, but the problem is that it really a time-consumable. I could even blurt that the turtle walks even faster than our justice system—and that's a FACT, by the way. Isn’t that a shame? A lot of people waited for that, and some of them might get even their lives jeopardized in the process, just to achieve that fucking J word? Those five hours might go on something more productive, right? 

But even if I complain about it, I admit: some authorities may be wrong, these culprits were totally wrong, but I had a part there, too. Maybe I had done something that provoked the incident either. 

And those will be the lessons—not just for me, but to everyone reading this.

Crime rates usually go high as the holiday approaches. Of course, a lot of people (especially the working ones) are earning more, which also means “peak season” for the crooks. 

Don’t be complacent. Even if you’re alert enough, even if you have a group walking with you, you can never be confident that you’re adequately safe especially if you’re passing by shanties and slums which most of the time are sheltered by these bad elements. As much as possible, avoid using phones or other gadgets (and even headphones) when you cross by those areas. Take it from me, people. Even if you have a headset, it could give these guys the idea that you are carrying a high-end gadget even if you don't flaunt it.

"Criminals are good psychologists," as one of my professors told me during her class six years ago. And guess what: she's actually right.

Pick your battles. Of course, we can’t be hypocrites here saying we could just give our belongings away to them. Mind you, your perspective might even change once you’re there. I could have thought of not fighting back, I could have go away and drink it all and hide from the world with more trauma on my head. Still, I wonder: for I-don’t-fucking-know reasons, why I ended up chasing these assholes?

Aside from the fact that I have yet to complete my payment for that material, some people told me I have adrenaline rush then. And maybe I couldn’t agree more. That's even dangerous, folks considering they could use a gun, knife or whatever weapon they had against you. Though if you ask me, I don't think they can really utilize that since it happened in a very crowded place, and their pla and pace were obviously wrecked up.

But pick your battles instead. If you have the guts and arrogance to fight back and have your way out, do it at your own risk.

BUT IF YOU CAN’T, then please… don’t do so. 

Just think of the better aspect; how to get away from such; what the future lies ahead of you. You might have a very terrible day for losing that thing, but it’s just a gadget or material. There’s more to life like inner peace and self-security. Like an old proverbial sentence, “Prevention is better than cure” which also applies for matters outside physical health.  

If you used to see that on other people like yours truly (well, come on guys; I do commit mistakes either), then don’t follow suit unless you’re a bastard enough to do so.  Unless you're a heel or bully to bully them back—while we hope that you'll come back unscathed as much as possible, too.

Moreover, always be careful. At times like this, you can never even count your home as a ‘safe haven’ unlike what we usually seen on that episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Sometimes, they would just pound on you at broad daylight, in a full-house setup, nor even at your very comfortable space.

These harmful elements need to be stopped, but what more can we do, especially on a corrupted and flawed justice system we have right now? They don’t fear anything or anyone. Even if we berate their lives as “patapon,” we just can’t fight back. ‘Cause even if you unleash your self-defense tactics on them, it might even backfire. 

Again: just be careful, be alert, and like I stated earlier, never ever be complacent. 

As of now, I’m recuperating from a busted lower lip and a cut on my left thumb. The case is now in court, and I’m waiting for the subpoena to come. Also, my phone was already on my custody as the case evidence. 

Sorry for the lengthy post (seriously, I was already writing on the third page of my document), I just want to share this story and hopefully, you—especially those on the working classes or even for those outgoing ones—will all be aware and be informed. Don’t be a crying victim. But better yet — don’t be a victim. 

Before I conclude, I'm thanking my colleagues for still standing up for me as the witnesses of the case. Especially to that woman (the same officemate who gave me her handkerchief, actually) who allowed me to use her phone for some time, and left a gift on my pocket —a rosary. I owe you a lot, and even my life. 

Thank you for reading.  Keep safe, and advance happy holidays.

[Updated 08/26/15 03:56:01 PM] The first trial was set 17 December 2014; but the prosecutor party was questioning one of the suspect's age. Though the previous record was stated he's 16, there was a lack of evidence such as the birth certificate. Delaying tactics as it seems. The boy was later re-investigated upon that matter.

The second trial was held 6 Februrary 2015; and turns out he's not a minor anymore. However, the case was raffled to another court inside the Quezon City jurisdiction.

Six months and eight days later, the progress of this case seems unknown; though the two suspects also faced charges for violating the law which involves abusing of drugs.

Author: slickmaster | ©2014, 2015 september twenty-eight productions

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