Riot erupts during free concert in Taytay, Rizal

A riot broke out among young attendees at a free concert in Barangay San Juan in Taytay, Rizal last Saturday. 

According to EJ Gomez’s report in “Balitanghali” on Monday, the concert was attended by a crowd of about 3,000, most of whom were minors, per the local Sangguniang Kabataan. 

Witnesses said the event eventually became chaotic. 

“Una po, akala namin, chill lang, tapos biglang nakagulo. Pagkakanta ng isa naming idol, nagtatalunan lang po tapos ayun na po, nagkasikuhan, nagkasipaan,” said one concert-goer, “Bugoy” (not his real name).

(At first it was just chill, then the riot broke out. One of our idols was performing, everyone was jumping around and then suddenly people were elbowing and kicking each other.) 

“Pagkatingin ko na po doon, nagkasuntukan na po sila. Biglang nagkulasan, maraming nasaktan kasi pagbato ng barrier po, tapos may bumabato rin ng tsinelas. May sumisipa din po, tapos may sinuntok din po,” said another attendee, “Bong.” 

(When I checked, they were already hitting each other. Many were hurt because someone threw a barrier and someone threw their slippers. Others were kicking other attendees and one punched another person.) 

The Taytay Police Office said that it has already gotten a comment from one of the injured attendees to locate the other minors involved. 

“Hawak na ng Taytay PNP ang isa sa mga nasaktan sa nasabing kaguluhan. Ang kanyang salaysay at pakikipagtulungan ay gagamitin ng ating kapulisan sa ikakatunton ng iba pang sangkot dito,” the statement read. 

(One of the victims is already under the custody of Taytay PNP. His statement and cooperation will be used to locate the other individuals involved.) 

The Taytay Police added that the victim said a group of minors blocked their way and threw a plastic barrier at them. This caused the victim and his friends to retaliate which led to the riot, it added. 

“Nang humupa ang batuhan at komosyon, ay nagtakbuhan na ang lahat at siya nga ang naiwan sa lugar kaya naman siya ang napagtulungan na bugbugin ng nasabing grupo,” the statement also read. 

(When the commotion subsided, everyone ran away and he was the one left behind in the area, which is why he was the one who was beaten up by the group.) 

The investigation on the incident is still ongoing. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News