I Am Tiramisu

Scary.

What happened yesterday.

As you all know I do my errands mostly commuting by jeepney. It's cheaper. Not necessarily safer.

Around 2pm yesterday I was on my way home, with one more stop at a mall to send out some mails. It was non-rush hour so there were about 10 people along with me in the jeepney. Approximately 8 kilometers from my destination 3 young men came on board, noisy, dressed in sleeveless shirts, big shorts and slippers. Nothing out of the usual, except that they were very loud. Except that one sat across the person to my left, another crouched in the middle right in front of me, thereby trapping me in and another stayed and clung to the exit therefore blocking any possible escape. Quick assessment told me there is no possible weapon in those lose gartered shorts and shirts but we just couldnt tell until we actually see them. They were young, fair skinned and thin. Druggies I believe. I froze. Instict was to get down now. But 2 men were blocking my way. They suddenly broke out into a rap song etc etc etc. It made me more angry. At the end they asked for "talent fees". Extortion. It took awhile for the passengers to move. No one gave them any at first. But the 3 men didnt make a move to get down either. Finally about 4 to 5 passengers gave them coins. The man in front of me would tap us lightly on the knees asking for money. I was afraid more for the lady on my left. She was wearing shorts. The 2 men were teasing her for money but she didnt budge. She just closed her eyes. The threat I felt subsided a little. But anger was brewing. A few meters from my destination the 3 men got down from the jeepney just as quickly as they got on. No one made a sound. No passenger made a comment. I noticed the driver never turned to look the whole time. Was it normal for him already? Had this been happening to other jeepneys already? So there was no real danger. But I still felt threated. That was tantamount to being held up. I had no escape. My knees was lodged on the guy's shoulder as he was crouching on the floor of the jeepney. It made me angry. How could something like this just happen? How could people like that get away with it? The driver didnt even ask us if we were ok. I was too stunned. I forgot to get the jeepney's plate number.

I felt horrified.

Things I've noticed though:

The jeepney was half empty. That probably made it an easy target.

The driver didnt even look. He must have recognized the men.

The men must have come from about 4 to 5 jeepney rides earlier.

Anywhere or anyone I can complain this to?

Thank YOU Boss for our safety.