Viral lolo: I just wanted to sell mangoes to buy food

An octogenarian, who went viral after he was arrested and jailed for stealing 10 kilos of mangoes, said that all he really wanted was to sell fruit so he could buy food.

Leonardo Flores, 83-years-old, claimed that he was the one who planted the mango tree when he was young, according to Joanne Ponsoy’s GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan report on Friday.

Based on a police report, the Asingan police nabbed Flores in Barangay Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan on January 13.

“Mayroon ding P1,000 na napagbentahan. Wala po kasing pambili ng pagkain,” he said.

(The mangoes were sold for P1,000. We don’t have money to buy food.)

The area where the mango tree was planted and Flores’ house have the same owner. The property owner had died while their children were in Manila and abroad.

Only the caretaker lived in the house where the mango tree was planted. It was the caretaker who filed the complaint against Flores.

“Sa loob sila ng compound kumuha. Wala pong tao noon,” Flores shared.

(We got the mangoes inside the compound. The caretaker was not there during that time.)

“Ang alam po kasi namin okay na, kasi wala na po kaming naririnig. Pagkokontribyusyunan na lang po sana namin kung ano, mag-aambag na lang po kami dito,” said Chonalyn, Flores' niece.

(We knew that the matter had been settled, because we didn't hear anything about the incident. We will just contribute to pay for his bail.)

Meanwhile, Flores thanked those who provided aid so that he could be free.

After a week in jail, Flores was released on Thursday after posting bail. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News