Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Man caught clinging to vehicles along EDSA-Buendia, turned over to Makati police

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Motorists traveling southbound along EDSA near Buendia on Thursday morning were alarmed after witnessing a man repeatedly clinging to and attempting to board moving vehicles, endangering both himself and other road users.According to the uploader of a viral video, he was passing through the area when he noticed the man hanging onto different vehicles whenever traffic slowed down.Concerned about the danger posed by the man’s actions, the uploader said he tried to intervene to prevent possible accidents.“Pagtingin ko yung lalaki na ‘yun sumasakay dun sa gilid ng sasakyan. Pagka humihinto eh pumipili ulit ng ibang sasakyan, pinapara tapos sasakay ulit. So napansin namin, gumawa na po ako ng paraan para mapigilan, nag-ano na po ako, nag-ingay para mapansin ng ibang mga tao,” said the video uploader, identified as Mar On The Road.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F785289597915758%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=248&amp;t=0" width="248" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Instead of stopping, the man reportedly ran and blocked another vehicle while continuing to attempt to open cars. He also tried to board a motorcycle as motorists and bystanders chased after him.The pursuit continued until personnel from the Department of Transportation – Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) responded.The man was eventually apprehended at a nearby gasoline station and taken into custody. When asked why he was running, he claimed he feared for his safety.“Nahuli naman po namin sa tulong ng ibang tao at may mga tumulong na po sa amin na humabol,” the uploader added.“Ang sabi sa amin, hinahabol daw siya ng mga babae doon po banda sa may Boni. Kaya takbo nang takbo, gusto daw siya ipapatay,” he added.“Natatakot siya, mayroon daw gusto pumatay sa kanya. Pinapaliwanag naman po namin na wala pong humahabol sa kanya kaya pinapakalma namin siya,” he said.After his arrest, the man was turned over to Makati City Police Sub-Station 6.According to Police Captain Philadiane Fronee Clemeña, station commander of PS6, police waited for possible complainants.“So dinala namin dito sir yung tao. Pagdating naman dito sir, nag-antay kami kung sino po yung magiging complainant natin or sino ba yung gustong magsampa ng kaso sa kanya kasi baka mamaya may nabuksan siyang sasakyan o may nadukutan. So far, wala naman po,” Clemeña said.Police waited for up to 12 hours for anyone to file a complaint, but no complainant came forward. Verification by the Makati Police also showed that the man has no criminal record and no outstanding warrant of arrest.Clemeña said reports surfaced after the video went viral, alleging the man was involved in a theft incident in Batangas, but no formal complaint was filed.“It went viral nung Friday. May tumawag sa Mandaluyong Police na allegedly may nanakawan daw itong tao na ito sa Batangas. Ine-encourage namin siya na magpunta rito para makapag-file ng kaso, pero sadly wala pong complainant. Wala po tayong holdings sa kanya, wala siyang crime,” she said.Under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, a person arrested without a warrant for minor offenses must be presented to judicial authorities within 12 hours to prevent illegal detention.“Baka po yung pulis natin makasuhan kapag hindi natin siya nire-release,” Clemeña added.“Pinipilit po namin siyang umalis kasi naglapse na yung reglementary period natin. Allegedly may humahabol daw po sa kanya, may papatay daw po sa kanya, tinatanong namin kung sino, hindi niya mabanggit.”The Makati City Police urged anyone who may have been victimized by the man to coordinate with their office so that appropriate charges may be filed. Authorities said the man’s profile has already been documented.The incident occurred at around 11:20 a.m. on January 22, 2026, near the EDSA Carousel Bus Station in Buendia, according to DOTr-SAICT.

Motorists traveling southbound along EDSA near Buendia on Thursday morning were alarmed after witnessing a man repeatedly clinging to and attempting to board moving vehicles, endangering both himself and other road users.

Motorists traveling southbound along EDSA near Buendia on Thursday morning were alarmed after witnessing a man repeatedly clinging to and attempting to board moving vehicles, endangering both himself and other road users.