Septuagenarian from Ilocos Norte town apologizes for harassing motorcycle riders

March 18, 2024 | 6:43pm

BAGUIO CITY — A septuagenarian former teacher and former overseas Filipino worker in Italy for 40 years, who went viral on social media for throwing firewood at motorcycle riders driving past his home in Barangay Bulala, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, has apologized and acknowledged her misdeeds.

Renie Leaño, 74,recently drew public attention after a social media post featuring a CCTV footage showed her throwing a piece of firewood to a speeding motorcycle rider in front of her house.

The motor riding public had been complaining against Leaño for a long time for her demeanor.

On Sunday, Leaño defended herself and argued that she was only warning speeding motorists to slow down while passing in front of her house.  She said that it was not her intention to hurt the motorists.

She had also brought her complaints against noisy and speeding motorcycle riders since 2016, a year after her return from Italy as an OFW.

Leaño said that she also requested barangay officials to put a barricade or street hump along the road in front of her house or a warning sign or device to slow down.

He requests was not merely for her own benefit but safety of motorists.

According to the former OFW, however, barangay officials did nothing, prompting her to take it to her own to address her concern.

Leaño vowed to stop throwing firewood at passing motorists.

Because of the attention the viral video earned, Barangay officials of Bulala are now consulting with the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the appropriate solution to address Leaño’s concern.