Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — Actress Awra Briguela was arrested following a scuffle in a bar in Poblacion, Makati early Thursday morning.
The Southern Police District (SPD) identified Awra, whose real name is Mc Neal Briguela, as primary suspect.
She was nabbed for physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority.
One of the complainants, Mark Christian Ravana, recalled to police that the incident unfolded during a farewell party.
He said the 19-year-old \”Ang Probinsiyano\” actress and several others approached his group and allegedly instigated a confrontation.
According to the police report, Ravana went outside the bar with Awra behind him. She then \”violently\” tore his shirt.
The situation escalated when Awra’s friends joined in, according to the SPD.
When police intervened, the SPD said the social media star became verbally abusive toward the officers and expressed disregard for their authority.
She also pushed an arresting officer which led to her arrest, they added.
Awra has since topped the trending list on Twitter, where her friends and netizens came to her defense saying she was only protecting her friend from a group of men who allegedly tried to sexually harass her.
According to content creator Zayla Nakajima, who was with the actress during the incident, a guy inside the bar attempted to touch her behind and slide a hand inside her bra.
\”After this harassment against me and my friend Mary Joy, my dear friend Awra confronted the guy very calmly after the party to defend me and our friend,\” Nakajima said in a now-deleted Facebook post.
The actress’ close friend, YouTuber Riva Quenery, called out the police officers who intervened.
“Isang malaking katanungan lang ‘yung nasa isip ko at ng maraming tao na kung bakit si Awra lang ang pinosasan at inaresto?” she said. “Nasaan ‘yung mga ibang lalaking na-involve sa away?“
[Translation: The only big question in my mind and that of many people is why only Awra was handcuffed and arrested? Where are the other men involved in the fight?]
Quenery said she visited Awra at Poblacion substation where she was detained. She also said the actress relayed to her what had happened and what caused the brawl.
The YouTuber said she knew that her friend only fought for what was right and questioned why she was the only one with charges.
“Laliman niyo naman ang imbestigasyon niyo,” Quenery said, addressing the police. “Hindi ‘yung alam niyo nang mali, pinaninindigan niyo pa. So nasaan na yung mga nanghipo sa mga kaibigan ni Awra? Nasaan na ‘yung sumapak sa kanila na kahit may pulis na dumating eh hindi nagsitigil at kay Awra lang lahat naka-focus.”
“Achievement ba para sa inyo dahil si Awra ang nahuli niyo?” she added.
[Translation: Deepen your investigation. You already know you are wrong yet you still stand by it. So where are those who harassed Awra’s friends? What happened to those who punched them that even when the police came, they didn’t stop and everyone was focused on Awra? Is it your achievment that you caught Awra?]
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#JusticeForAwra pic.twitter.com/J5QnU3yEUN
— RIVA QUENERY (@RivaQuenery_) June 29, 2023
