MANILA, Philippines – The Mandaluyong City Police disclosed that the sampaguita vendor wearing school uniform featured in the viral video is an 18-year-old student from Baesa, Quezon City, striving to support herself financially.
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| Photo courtesy: Screenshot from DZRH News, RBreezy (FB) |
The student gained online attention after a video surfaced showing a feud between her and a security guard.
According to the police investigation, it was confirmed that the vendor is indeed a student at a private school, taking up medical technology course, and not part of any criminal syndicate, contrary to speculations circulating among netizens.
Due to the video going viral, the Philippine National Police-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA) initiated a motu proprio investigation.
In a media interview with Police Col. Mary Grace Madayag, chief of Mandaluyong City Police, it was revealed that the vendor is indeed selling sampaguita to help with her needs, especially after their house was recently demolished. The police described the child as "intelligent." This was also confirmed by the barangay, where they spoke with local officials.
“Ika-clarify po natin na ‘yong bata po ay totoo pong estudyante. In fact nga po, siya po ay isang scholar ng isang private institution at matalinong bata. Nagsusumikap lamang po na madagdagan ‘yong mga pangangailangan nila sa kanilang eskwela dahil po kade-demolish lang daw o ng bahay nila. ‘Yan po ay pinatunayan din ng barangay,” Madayag told reporters in a chance interview.
“Hindi na po siya minor. Siya po ay 18 years old na babae at lehitimo po na siya ay estudyante sa isang private school,” she said.
Babae sa ‘viral’ na pagtaboy ng security guard habang nagbebenta ng sampaguita sa EDSA, natunton na, hindi miyembro ng sindikato — Mandaluyong PNP | via Edniel Parrosa, DZRH News
Posted by DZRH News on Thursday, January 16, 2025
In relation to the issue, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stated that they would provide psychosocial aid to the student.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao also mentioned that they have been instructed to visit the student to speak with her and her parents.
They also plan to talk to the security guard involved in the incident about his treatment of the children.
This was also confirmed by social media personality, entrepreneur, and Manila councilor candidate "Rosmar Tan," who was able to video call "Jenny" and provide her with financial assistance. Rosmar learned that Jenny is a First Year student pursuing a degree in medtech.
“Sa mga nagcocomment at one sided meet Jenny ang trending na SAMPAGUITA GIRL ngayon…”
“Sabi ko sige ako ang bahala sayo lilinisin ni ate rosmar ang pangalan mo,” Rosmar promised to her.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
