Tovic Salvador

Members of the social welfare department's Pag-abot Team inspect a drainage hole where police said three people had sought temporary shelter in. Department of Social Welfare and Development photo release

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748430970094GsBeJ2IacAA3K4B.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Members of the social welfare department&#x27;s Pag-abot Team inspect a drainage hole where police said three people had sought temporary shelter in. Department of Social Welfare and Development photo release</div>MANILA — Authorities are investigating a viral incident involving three individuals allegedly using a drainage canal in Makati City as a temporary shelter.On Tuesday, a video post made rounds on social media showing a person emerging from a small hole in a canal at the corner of V.A. Rufino and Adelantado Streets in Barangay San Lorenzo.However, police later clarified that it was not just one person but three individuals who were believed to have taken refuge inside the drainage system.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/kanal-sa-makati-na-may-lumabas-na-tao-selyado-na-1859">Tao nakitang lumabas sa kanal sa Makati</a></div>CCTV footage from the area revealed that around 4 p.m. on Monday, three people entered the drainage opening in succession. Within less than a minute, all three had successfully gone inside.“Base po sa initial na investigation, sila po ay mga street dwellers sa Barangay Pio Del Pilar. Pansamantala po ay nag-seek sila ng temporary shelter po or refuge doon sa area,” said Police Capt. Jenibeth Artista, spokesperson of the Makati Police. (Based on initial investigation, they are street dwellers in Barangay Pio Del Pilar. They sought temporary shelter in the area)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/7/9/housing-target-slashed-by-3-million-units-amid-funding-concerns-neda-chief-1614">Housing target slashed by 3 million units amid funding concerns: NEDA chief </a></div>ABS-CBN News visited the site and observed that the opening to the drainage was small. Authorities have since narrowed the hole further and reinforced it with cement to prevent future entry.According to Police Capt. Artista, the three appeared to be physically small, allowing them to fit into the narrow space.<div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB30OVVNPBM">Canal sealed in Makati after person seen emerging from drainage</a></div>The police are now determining how long the canal had been used as a shelter. Investigators are also looking into the possibility of criminal activity, especially after finding various tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, a wrench, and other metal objects inside the canal.Further investigation found that the drainage is connected to a nearby creek and may also link to another system along Amorsolo Street, possibly another route used by the individuals. Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pag-abot Program, which assists homeless individuals, were also seen in the area on Wednesday. The agency said they are now trying to locate the individual seen in the viral post to extend help and provide support.

Authorities are investigating a viral incident involving three people allegedly using a drainage canal in Makati City as a temporary shelter.

Authorities are investigating a viral incident involving three people allegedly using a drainage canal in Makati City as a temporary shelter.

More than a 'mole man': Police say 3 people used Makati drainage as shelter

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More than a 'mole man': Police say 3 people used Makati drainage as shelter

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 28, 2025 07:21 PM PHT

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Makati City

Drainage

PNP

Police

Kanal

DSWD

Street Dweller

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