VINTAR, Ilocos Norte – A septuagenarian who went viral on social media for throwing wood on the driver of a fast-moving and noisy motorcycle in front of her house in Barangay Bulala here on Wednesday morning, March 6, has apologized to the public for her actions.
LEANO talks about the viral involving her early this month in Vintar, Ilocos Norte. (Screen grab from Ilocos News Online)
Renie Leaño, 74, a former teacher and an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), drew public attention after a surveillance footage posted on social media showed her throwing a piece of wood to a fast-moving motorcycle in front of her house.
The motorcycle rider, approximately in his mid to late 40s, returned and confronted Leaño who returned to her house but he followed her and bumped her, causing her to fall down.
The motorcycle rider sped off and Leaño slowly stood up and cursed at him in the native dialect Ilocano.
Surveillance footage later showed Leaño talking to another man, apparently complaining about the noise generated by passing motorcycles.
She later on was enraged by more passing motorcycles, and one rider whom she had said something stopped to confront her.
The man picked a stone which he threw at Leaño who avoided the projectile that landed in her house. Leaño was peeved and heard cursing while the man moved away.
Some neighbors stepped in to diffuse the situation but Leaño continued to rant as more neighbors appeared. Moments later, she went inside her house.
She went out again and seemed to have not yet calmed down.
People have lodged a complaint with barangay officials over Leaño’s actions.
Leaño said her actions were a reminder to speeding motorists to slow down when passing in front of her house as their noisy driving disturbed her and that it was not her intention to hurt them.
She said that she had been bringing up the matter to barangay officials since 2016 or a year upon returning to the country in 2015.
Leaño said that she requested barangay officials to construct a hump on the road or put up a sign reminding motorists to slow down in front of her house. These, she said, were also for the safety of motorists.
She said that barangay officials have done nothing on her requests, prompting her to act on her own to address her concerns.
Leaño vowed to stop throwing firewood at passing motorists.
Barangay officials are consulting with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for appropriate solution to Leaño’s concerns.