The security guard who went viral on social media after choking a man who allegedly stole several items in a convenience store defended himself from the criticism and false information circulating about the incident.
In his post, the security guard said that the convenience store was already monitoring the man he choked, as he had been caught stealing items many times.
The incident happened last year, but the video only went viral this week.
According to him, it was already the third or fourth time that the man committed the same illegal act.
The guard insisted that it was his job to protect the items from the convenience store, as they were the ones shouldering the expenses for every stolen item.
“Ang rule sa convenience store, ang item na mawawala sa buong buwan na ito, ang magbabayad niyan ay empleyado,” the security guard said.
He admitted that he intentionally choked the suspect to restrain him, but he didn’t mean to harm the latter.
The security guard also insisted that the man had no intention to surrender himself and attempted to run as far as he could from the people who were chasing him.
It can be recalled that the security guard was facing criticism on social media after a disinformation claim that the man he choked passed away circulated on social media.
A man who went viral on social media after being choked by a security guard who chased him was reportedly alive.
According to the report, the man was caught stealing goods from a popular convenience store, which resulted in a short chase.
A video published on social media showed that the security guard restrained the man who was visibly already tired from running and handcuffed him.
After the incident, several reports claimed that the man passed away due to the force of the choke, which resulted in a broken spinal cord.
“Nakakalungkot na balita ayon sa nakalap natin impormasyon namatay yung payat na nakaputi dahil sa pagkabale ng leeg at spinal damage na naka konekta sa batok pinaghahanap na ang pulisya ang securuty guard ng isang establisyemento na pinagtatrabahuhan nya,” according to a Facebook post.
However, the news was debunked by netizens Paula Morillo, who confirmed that the man was alive and under the custody of the authorities.
“Wag kayo basta basta naniniwala sa kumakalat na balita, na patay na yung lalaking nag viral na sinakal. Ayan siya buhay na buhay haha. And also, last year pa ho nangyari yung video na yun at hindi tanod ng barangay yung sumakal kay kuya. Wag basta basta maniwala sa mga kumakalat na balita sa social media hehe,” she stated.
Internet celebrity Xander Ford admitted to regretting wasting numerous opportunities during the peak of his fame.
In an interview with Morly Alinio, Xander claimed that he received offers from major television networks, including TV5, GMA, and ABS-CBN, but he refused all of them.
Xander admitted that his past attitude was the reason why his career dwindled.
“Ang laki po talaga ng pagsisisi ko, dati kabi-kabila ang offer ng TV5, GMA, at ABS-CBN,” said Xander.
“Pero dahil naging mayabang ako, lahat ‘yun nawala, nawala ‘yung kasikatan ko,” he added.
It can be recalled that Xander briefly gained popularity after undergoing plastic surgery.
A provincial correspondent of DZRH was allegedly threatened by Abra congressional candidate and La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph “JB” Bernos, a close ally of the Marcos family in Abra.
The incident started when reporter Romy Gonzales covered an incident between police officers and armed groups in Barangay Budac, Tayum, Abra, on April 21.
Gonzales then received a message from Bernos on the same day, calling the reporter irresponsible.
“TAR*NTADO KA ROMY. VERY IRRESPONSIBLE,” said Bernos.
The two then talked via video conference, where Bernos started to threaten Gonzales.
“P*TANG *NA MO, MR. GONZALES. BABALIKAN KITA, P*TANG *NA KA.” the mayor reportedly said.
In an interview, Gonzales admitted that he was afraid for his safety now because of the messages he received from Bernos, a known powerful political clan in Abra.
“Syempre nangangamba, paminsan binabantayan natin likod natin. Baka may sumusunod,” he said. “‘Yung ni-report kasi natin na shooting incident, nangyari sa Tayum. Okay na lang sana ‘yan, kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya, magbigay siya ng report, pwede naman natin i-correct… Pero parang ang kinekwestyon niya, ang grupo nila, ang kinasasama ng loob niya, parang napakasama ko nang reporter,”
“Pwede ko naman i-correct kung may mali, pero ‘yung mumurahin tayo at pagbabantaan pa,” he added.
MBC Media Group, the owner of DZRH, stated that they are ready to hold Bernos accountable for his actions.
“Naninindigan ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na walang puwang ang karahasan at pagbabanta,” they said. “Desidido ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na pananagutin ang nasa likod ng pagbabanta upang hindi maulit ang mga kaparehong sitwasyon na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa isang pag–atake sa malayang pamamahayag,”
Michael Villamor, a long-time fan of the late National Artist Nora Aunor, couldn’t hide his disappointment, taking a swipe at some individuals who took advantage of the Superstar.
In his vlog, Michael stated that some individuals had received help from Nora, but when the late actress was already facing financial difficulties, no one offered their assistance.
“Mga walang utang na loob, matapos nilang perahan dati si Nora in the end si Nora naman ang walang pera at nanghihingi ng tulong ayaw nilang sagutin ang tawag ni Nora,” said Michael.
He also criticized Nora’s family, saying that they didn’t prioritize the ordinary fans who visited the actress’s wake.
According to Michael, the family prioritized the VIPs and public officials over the Noranians who had brought Nora to fame and expressed their loyalty to their idol for many decades.
“Eto pa ang isa, alam ninyong ang fanbase ni Nora, pinaka bata diyan siguro 50 or 55, mostly sernios na ‘yan tapos ang visiting hour na ilalagay niyo 10 am to 4pm?” said Michael.
“Alam niyong summer to! Ang init! Kahit ako di lumalabas dahil sa init, tapos ang fans papapuntahin niyo ng ganung oras porket mga VIP di pumupunta ng ganoong kainit? Eh kung himatayin ang mga fans? Nilagay niyo mga VIP sa gabi ano, para maming mag-donate?” he added.
The teacher who went viral and gained praise on social media after he confronted his principal, who ordered his students to take off their togas, appeared in an interview with educator Carl Balita.
In an interview, Lu Nietes, one of the teachers of Col. Ruperto Abellion National School (CRANS), said that he took the initiative to de-escalate the situation and approach their principal, Venus Nietes, to remind his superior that the moving-up ceremony was about the students and their parents.
“At that very moment, I wasn’t thinking about it, na, I was a hero. At that very moment, I was only thinking na moment to ng mga learners at parents so dapat i-celebrate nila yun,” said Teacher Lu.
According to him, he was aware of the consequences of showing dissent to his superior, but he believed his actions were for the sake of the students.
However, Teacher Lu also emphasized that students should still remain respectful to their teachers, after one of the graduates heckled the principal during the ceremony.
“Sa mga learners natin, be respectful pa rin sa mga people in authority. Very important yan. You have to continuously develop self-discipline. Continue to make mistakes and learn from your mistakes,” he stated.
Elena Zdorovetskaia, the mother of the controversial Russian-American vlogger, Vitaly Zdorovetsky, made a plea to the Filipino people to forgive her son after the Philippine government decided not to deport him.
In a statement, Elena said that she had already taken full responsibility for his actions, despite his unapologetic gestures during his arrest and when he was presented to the public by government officials.
Elena also insisted that Vitaly has no intention to harm those Filipinos who became the subject of his pranks – one was even threatened with robbery by the vlogger.
“I want to be very clear: my son made a mistake, and he takes full responsibility. However, he meant no harm and deeply regrets his actions,” she said.
Vitaly’s mother, who also became controversial due to her publicity stunts abroad, explained that the vlogger was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a mental disorder.
She reminded the public that Vitaly visited the Philippines, not to do pranks entirely, but also to help unfortunate Filipinos.
“The man behind the headlines is also a man of faith, generosity, and remorse. He has already lost his online platform, his only source of income, and his ability to continue supporting our small family, including his 87-year-old grandmother and me,” said Elena.
Vitaly was expected to stay in the Philippines for years, as he was facing trial.
If found guilty, the government said that Vitaly would spend his sentence in the Philippines, which could last for decades.
Laua-An, Antique Mayor Aser Baladjay has already requested the Department of Education (DepEd) to investigate the controversial principal of Col. Ruperto Abellon National High School (CRANS), Venus Nietes, who has been receiving complaints since 2023 due to alleged mismanagement.
In an interview, Baladjay said that he was aware of the complaints by the students and parents against Nietes, but according to him, the principal was only being reassigned to different parts of Antique.
Baladjay revealed that Nietes was only transferred to Culasi, Tobias Fornier, and Laua-An, despite the complaints she received.
He also expressed his support for the students who were already fed up with Nietes.
In 2023, Nietes received a complaint from a group of students, alleging that she was attempting to prevent student organizations from conducting activities.
She also failed to address the problems of the school she was tasked to lead.
Due to the alleged lack of action from DepEd, more than 500 students transferred to another school to avoid Nietes.
Some critics expressed concern that Nietes would only be transferred to another school. Still, others were optimistic that the publicity gained by her actions during the moving-up ceremony would end her career as a principal.
The people who personally knew the controversial principal of Col. Ruperto Abellon National School (CRANS), Venus Divinia Nietes, were surprised after the “sweet and loving” teacher they knew was now in hot water, having demanded that graduating students remove their togas.
It can be recalled that Nietes was facing an investigation after she caused a scene during the moving-up ceremony on April 15, 2025, after she insisted that togas were not part of the prescribed attire at the event.
Nietes was even heckled by one of the disappointed students and publicly debated with another teacher on stage.
“Lovely and Sweet”
A teacher who claimed to know Nietes personally was surprised by the ‘mutation’ of the principal.
“The viral principal…a close friend..sweet and so loving ( that’s how I know her before)…Ms.Venus Divinia Nietes….WHY ???(Why did you let yourself be overwhelmed by the position you have?) This is not all about Obedience …it’s all about Compassion and LOVE for the students…RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT !!!” said Irene Belarmino.
“Once a relatable mentor”
Herald Bebis, a former student of Nietes, said that he was also surprised by the incident, noting that he knew the principal as a “mentor” who knew how to make her students feel safe and supported.
“I didn’t just see the incident. I saw you. And it was difficult to reconcile the person in that video with the Ma’am Venus I once knew, we once knew; — the teacher who carried herself with grace and empathy, who knew how to listen, who was loved not only for being competent, but for being kind,” said Bebis.
“You were once that relatable mentor — the one who, despite the weight of authority, never made us feel small. You understood that teaching was more than just standing at the front of a classroom. You made us feel safe, supported, seen. You were one of those rare few who could make students believe in themselves. That’s why this moment is so heartbreaking. Because it doesn’t feel like you. And maybe that’s why I chose to write instead of rant. Because I still believe that the teacher we once knew is there — just hidden perhaps beneath the weight of administrative burdens, policy pressures, or other things we may never fully understand from the outside.
“Ma’am Neneng, this Holy Week offers us all a sacred opportunity. A pause. A moment to look inward. To reflect not only on what has happened, but on who we are and who we’ve always hoped to be — not just as educators or alumni, but as Christians, as Filipinos, as human beings. Perhaps this is the time to revisit those earlier years when your guidance was steeped in compassion, when your presence inspired, and when your voice comforted more than it corrected. Those years weren’t just memories — they were seeds you planted in many of us. They shaped the way we carried ourselves long after graduation.”
As of the time of writing, Nietes has yet to comment on the incident.
