Family of PWD mauled in bus to sue attackers

(UPDATED) The family of alias "Macmac", the PWD victim in a viral mauling incident inside a bus at the EDSA carousel, will file criminal charges against at least three of the assailants involved.

DOTr suspends license of bus driver after PWD mauling incident

Angelo de Alban, the legal counsel of the family, said they have identified some of the suspects. 

"So far may na identify na kami na tatlo at meron pa kaming dalawang iniimbestigahan yung kanilang identity kung sino sila," de Alban said.

(We have identified three assailanrs and we are still identifying two more.)

The lawyer declined to reveal the identities of the assailants, and if the bus conductor was one of them.

However, he said that if investigation will conclude that the conductor was involved, they will file charges against him, too.

De Alban said they are still looking into the use of taser that was caught on video, saying they are ascertaining who did it.

"Sa ngayon bumubuo kami ng ebidensya pero papunta sa child abuse yung ifa-file namin," he said.

(We are compiling pieces of evidence but it's likely we will file a child abuse case.)

"Bakit child abuse? Yung victim is almost 25 years old na pero under the law, kapag may intellectual disability yung tao, he can still be considered as a child," he added.

(Why child abuse? The victim is almost 25 years old but under the law, people with intellectual disabilities can be considered a child.)

A family member of the victim said Macmac developed a trauma in riding public transportation.

The family said Macmac has a sense of direction and can really travel alone.

"Meron na tayo nakausap na psychologist from a government hospital na mag-aassist sa victim para ma assess ang kanyang disability," De Alban said.

(We have talked to a psychologist from a government hospital to assist the victim in assessing his disability.)

"Kaya niya mag travel alone pero di nya kaya depensahan ang sarili niya. Kulang sa awareness yung mga pasahero, yun ang problem natin diyan," he added.

(The victim can travel alone but he cannot defend himself. The passengers in the bus lack awareness, that is our problem.)

The incident happened last week, wherein the victim was caught on video being mauled and even tasered while inside a public utility bus.

The DOTr has ordered the suspension of the license of the bus driver and ordered the investigation of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier said that based on its initial investigation, it was the conductor who tasered the passenger.

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