Hunt out for man caught ‘defecating’ in Intramuros
MANILA, Philippines — The hunt is out for the foreign national who was photographed on Sunday allegedly defecating in public within the historic walls of Intramuros.
Photos of the still unidentified foreigner have been released by Manila’s Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMaRT) for the easier identification of the suspect, who is now wanted for violation of Article 200 or Grave Scandal under Offenses Against Decency and Good Custom in the Revised Penal Code.
Once identified, the suspect will be asked to appear before the Office of the Mayor, and to face charges against him.
Maj. Rosalino Ibay Jr., chief of SMaRT, said in his report that Ronald Joseph Alvarado, a professional photographer, who appeared before their office to attest to the veracity of the incident.
Alvarado was the one who posted the photos on social media, which immediately went viral. In a tightened shot of the picture, the man could be seen sitting on a ceramic garden pot and appeared to be defecating.
Another professional photographer, Edward Dela Cuesta, tapped by the city government to determine if Alvarado’s pictures were authentic, assured the pictures were not manipulated. These are now subject of SMaRT’s investigation.
Despite this confirmation, Ibay said the Intramuros Administration made a separate check of the spot but found that there was no sign of defecation in the area.
“Such act (is) highly scandalous as offending against decency and good customs, and Alarm and Scandal,” he said.
Ibay said SMaRT is now coordinating with the Intramuros Administration and accredited travel offices to get a shortlist of foreigners of those who visited the area at the time of the incident.
The Intramuros Administration earlier said their team also found no waste in the area and said it is “concerned that instead of calling the attention of the guard who is posted there if true, the one who posted it is using this for the anti-Chinese sentiment.”