flat iron

It was Monday morning (last week-April 18), about 6 AM. There was no water supply in my new place so I decided not to go to work (summer job). I planned to get up late since I won't be reporting for work but that had been spoiled by some noise created by the neighborhood. I was really frustrated and it somewhat ruined my day… I got up, folded my blanket and went down to the ground floor. I joined my dorm mates in the porch. They were looking at something down the street and as I saw their expressions and heard their comments, I realized that something was not going well. I looked down and I was really astonished. A man lying on the street with hands and feet tied!!! That was quite alarming!!! I stayed in the porch trying to figure out what was wrong…

Around the man were some other men (teenagers, some old and some more are fathers of households). I was shocked and a bit frightened when a teenager approached the man and kicked him on his face, then another one followed and hit him on the same part. I was hurt as if I were the one lying there, receiving all the blows and kicks. Some women joined and threw insulting words at the man’s face… Then an old man (I think, aging 50-55) with a sack full of clay approached and raised the sack higher then brought it down to the man’s face. I can’t help it anymore, my tear flowed down and I felt so useless. I was just standing there, doing nothing but watched them. I wanted to call the police but I do not know what numbers to dial. I want to shout “STOP” but fear defeated me…

Do you know why they did that to that helpless man? It was all because of a flat iron that he was trying to steal from one of our neighbors. I was really surprised when I knew that from one of my dorm mates. At some point, it is certain that the man had a mistake, however does that justify all that they had done… for me, not at all… They could have brought him to the police station or the barangay hall, right?


Right now, I am still reflecting how mean people can get, like giving more importance to possessions over lives and dignity of their fellows... so heartbreaking... sometimes, i ask, do man really has innate goodness? if so, why are there situations like this? what do you think???