Actress Awra Briguela was arrested by authorities following her involvement in a scuffle outside a bar in Poblacion, Makati early Thursday morning.
A video of the incident circulating online showed the "Ang Probinsyano" actress and transwoman, whose real name Mc Neal Briguela, being forcibly handcuffed by Makati City policemen.
She was reportedly nabbed for physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority.
One of Awra's friends took to Instagram to share their side of the story, narrating what transpired hours before the brawl.
On her Instagram story, user simpforzayla said she together with Awra and their friends went club hopping in Poblacion and ended up in Bolthole bar in the same area.
"Minutes later, there's one guy who creepily harassed me with two attempts," she wrote, citing that the attempts involved touching her private parts.
"After this harassment against me and my friend Mary Joy — my dear friend Awra confronted the guy very calmly after the part to defend me and our friend. And since he is a plain assh*le, Awra and this guy got heated up and that's where the trouble began," she added.
She said the guy was the first one to throw fists at Awra, who, by instinct, fought back.
However, based on the initial police report, one of the complainants, Mark Christian Ravana, claimed that the 19-year-old comedian and her friends approached their group and asked him to take off his shirt.
Ravana declined and went outside the bar with Awra behind him, where she reportedly tore his shirt "violently."
The situation escalated when Awra's friends joined in, according to the Southern Police District.
As of writing, Awra is still in the custody of Makati police, who earlier released her mugshot.
Awra has been trending on Twitter, with netizens and several LGBT groups calling out the Makati PNP for the way they handled the situation.
"STAND WITH AWRA BRIGUELA! CONDEMN THE PNP’s BRUTALITY AND TRANSPHOBIA IN MAKATI MALINAW NA HALIMBAWA NG TRANSPHOBIA AT POLICE BRUTALITY ang marahas na pagdukot kay Awra, na inaresto matapos tumindig para sa kaibigan niyang hinaharass. #StandWithAwra," the group BAHAGHARI said in a tweet.
STAND WITH AWRA BRIGUELA! CONDEMN THE PNP’s BRUTALITY AND TRANSPHOBIA IN MAKATI
— Bahaghari (@Bahaghari_PH) June 29, 2023
MALINAW NA HALIMBAWA NG TRANSPHOBIA AT POLICE BRUTALITY ang marahas na pagdukot kay Awra, na inaresto matapos tumindig para sa kaibigan niyang hinaharass. #StandWithAwra pic.twitter.com/Moqt5H1WvD
Netizens are also quick to come to Awra's defense, asking for justice.
AWRA BRIGUELA IS A RIDE-OR-DIE KIND OF FRIEND SINCE DAY ONE!! SHE DOESN'T DESERVE ANY OF THIS.
— Lantis Espiritu (@lantisespiritu) June 29, 2023
On the last few days of Pride Month. Awra Briguela, a transwoman, is arrested because she was defending her cis-gender female friends from a cis-gender male who sexually harrassed them.
— Syd Alcala 💗🫶😽 (@shidoni) June 29, 2023
MAKE THIS MAKE SENSE. Tangina eh. Nakakagalit.
Fuck this patriarchy!!!
Awra Briguela, natagpuan na pinagtatanggol ang kanilang kaibigan na na-harass. She’s a real kween for this.
— z (@xaaiixx) June 29, 2023
Context is important. https://t.co/9YNGO1OphI
Tama nga si Gloc 9, minsan mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla. And AWRA proved it!
— baddie b (@cometolibra) June 29, 2023
If you have a friend like Awra Briguela, KEEP THEM‼️
pic.twitter.com/bvrYl2gaCZ
Lumaki tayong mga bakla na binubugbog, pero pag natuto tayong lumaban, parurusahan.@AwraBriguelaaa’s case is a flashback to #Pride20, and how the police always cracks down on LGBTQ+ Filipinos with the courage to fight injustice. #IStandWithAwra #PNPBulokpic.twitter.com/GYeLW7j5xs
— Reyna Valmores (@ReynaValmores) June 29, 2023
Makati PNP has yet to comment on the matter.
