While Awra is currently detained at the police station, netizens express their thoughts on the incident involving the actress-host
Disclaimer: This is a developing story.
Capping off Pride Month in the Philippines, actress-host Awra Briguela is currently trending all over social media for her involvement in a ruckus caught on video that happened early Thursday morning, June 29. In the clips uploaded by netizens, it could be seen that Awra was forcefully held and dragged by the police. The cause, during that time, was yet to be disclosed. This led to her facing the following cases: physical injuries, alarm and scandal, disobedience in authority, and direct assault—filed by both the complainant of the other party and the police themselves.
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In an interview with Chief of Makati City Police Colonel Edward Cutiyog with TV5, he said, “So far, sa ngayon, si Awra lang po ang [inaresto] natin dahil ‘yung time na ‘yun [ng] incident, siya po ang masyadong unruly. Siya po [ang] nagsisisigaw. Masyadong agresibo kaya siya po ang [inaresto] natin. So ‘yun ‘yung iimbestigahan natin, kung sinu-sino ‘yung mga kasamahan.”
The police added that while the other party filed a complaint against Awra, the actress-host’s group decided otherwise. “‘Yung complainant lang ng isang, itong another party ang nagcomplain ng physical injury.”
The story, so far
In a now deleted Instagram and Facebook post of the 19-year old’s friend, Zayla Nakajima or simpforzayla on social media, she clarified that the guy involved in the incident touched her body without consent. This was followed by him even trying to insert his hands inside her bra-top, as well as stalking them inside the club. Because of this, Awra “calmly confronted” the guy, but she was met with him throwing fists to the actress. In defense, she fought back.
The same narrative was also shared by Riva Quenery, another Kapamilya star and one of the accused’s closest friends. “Kinwento [niya] sa’kin ang sinapit [niya] matapos [niyang] ipagtanggol ang kaibigan [niya] laban sa grupo ng mga lalaking hinipuan ang kanyang kaibigan,” Riva wrote on her statement posted on Twitter. She also said that Awra is facing multiple injuries as well, with a number of contusions on her back and a bump on her head. She did not receive medical assistance during that time.
#JusticeForAwra pic.twitter.com/J5QnU3yEUN
— RIVA QUENERY (@RivaQuenery_) June 29, 2023
In a statement by “Alyas Mark,” he disclosed, “Nakursunadahan niya siguro ako, tapos ‘di na ako pinalabas ng bar, eh. Unang-una, ‘di nga ako pumapatol, eh. [Marami] nang sumuntok sa’kin, lumaban lang ako.” According to another police officer, Awra allegedly refused to have her picture taken, which might have led to the other party getting offended.
The stance of many
Several netizens have expressed their support for the actress-host, among which were Awra’s friends who have witnessed her protective side. Aside from Riva, content creators Zeinab Harake, Mika Salamanca, and Benedict Cua sided with the Kapamilya star.
I have always witnessed @AwraBriguelaaa courageously defend people when they get mistreated. Madaming witness dyan. Now if standing up for someone automatically gets painted as irrational aggression — what kind of justice do we have?? #JusticeForAwra
— Benedict Cua (@benedict_cua) June 29, 2023
Meanwhile, director Rod Singh, host Mela Habijan, and drag queen Marina Summers also called out the unjust treatment experienced by Awra, which is a manifestation of the several mistreatments that not just the LGBTQIA+ members face on the daily, but also those considered to be “minorities.”
Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang aggression ng pulis sa eksena. Sa dami ng sapakan na nakita natin mula timog hanggang poblacion, ito yung patunay na sa mata ng batas, tayo ang pinaka-kawawa.
— rod singh (@iamrodafrog) June 30, 2023
Men, your egos are forever bruised. Mga manyak kampi sa kapwa manyak.
On the other hand, Ricci Rivero’s family members shared their take on the news, giving a shade on the actress in their posts, which consequently received backlash from netizens. Unbeknownst to some, Awra is the friend of Andrea Brillantes, ex-girlfriend of the basketball player.
Meanwhile, Several organizations like Metro Manila Pride, UP Babaylan, and Bahaghari have also released their own statements regarding the incident. They called out the transphobia and police brutality that Awra faced during her arrest.
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
With several layers of the issue presented as of today, the root cause of the brawl is yet to be truly confirmed. As of now, Awra and her two lawyers are still mum on her case.
Ultimately, this incident also unpacks the different struggles that women and the LGBTQIA+ members face everyday in different parts of the world, but most especially in the Philippines. The question is—where do we go from here?
Photos: AWRA BRIGUELA (via Instagram)
