Grab driver arrested in Makati for pointing ‘gun’ at security guard

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A Grab driver was arrested on Monday, April 1, after he allegedly pointed a “gun” at a security guard in Makati.

Major Gideon Ines Jr, Makati police investigation chief,  identified the suspect as 31-year-old Grab driver Hyron Henry Roscom, who faced a grave threat complaint.

According to a police report, Roscom pointed a “gun” at security guard Genonevo Azarcon Jr along J.P. Rizal Avenue in Barangay Olympia, Makati, at around 2 am on April 1. This apparently happened before Roscom went inside a bar.

Acting on the complaint of Azarcon, village watchmen arrested Roscom as soon as he got out of the bar.

Roscom denied he pointed a gun at Azarcon and said he was shocked when he got arrested. He admitted, however, that he had a pellet gun in his car – a caliber .38 revolver replica – which was seized by police.

Ines said that police would retrieve the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the bar to verify the claim of the driver.

Roscom is currently under police custody.

Nicka Hosaka, Grab Philippines Public Affairs Manager, said in a statement that the company had banned Roscom after it was informed about the incident.

“Grab does not condone such alarming behavior. We have already banned the driver from the platform as we continue our own internal investigation of the incident. We likewise extend our full cooperation to the authorities in support of their investigation,” Hosaka said.

“The safety and security of our users is of utmost priority to us,” she added.

Grab Philippines urged Grab users to report to its hotline – 02-8837107 – “any behavior which puts the welfare of our community at risk.” – With a report from Aika Rey/Rappler.com