Lalaking umano’y nagnakaw, sinakal, at umano’y “namatay,” lumitaw at nagsalita: “Buhay ako”

- The man shown in a viral video being pinned in a cross-arm choke by another man and said to have “died” recently surfaced to debunk talks about his alleged “death”

- Christian Sariol, the man who allegedly stole something from a convenience store and was caught by another man said to be the store’s guard who cross-arm choked him, recently surfaced in another video

- In this new video, Sariol admitted his past mistake and said he already served jail time for the crime

- He also added that the video that recently went viral showing him being cross-arm choked by another until he lay motionless was from last year and not recent as some would make it appear

The man shown in a viral video being held by another man in a cross-arm choke and is said to have “died” due to asphyxiation recently surfaced to debunk online talks about his supposed “death.”

It can be recalled that a video depicting a harrowing physical altercation, showing a man identified as Christian Sariol being pinned with hands locked around his neck, has recently resurfaced online, sparking alarming rumors of his death.

However, Sariol himself has emerged on a newly created Facebook account to vehemently debunk these claims, stating that he is alive and that the video is a relic from a past incident in June 2024.

In a public post, Sariol addressed concerned netizens, explaining that he reposted the video because his new account currently restricts him from going live.

His message aimed to clarify the timeline of the event and the subsequent rumors of his demise.

Sariol openly admitted to the “mistake” he made that led to the confrontation captured in the viral video.

He stated that he had already taken responsibility for his actions, emphasizing that he “surrendered” and even said, “I will go with you” in the video.

Despite this, he claimed he was pinned by the man, whom other netizens said was a security guard at a convenience store where Sariol allegedly stole from.

Sariol clarified that the incident occurred a significant time ago, around June 2024, and that the initial posting was made by someone named “basay,” which he had previously let go.

The recent resurgence of the video, however, prompted him to speak out.

Crucially, Sariol revealed that his case related to the incident has already been resolved. He expressed remorse for his actions during his time in jail, stating, “I regretted the mistake I made inside the jail.”

To further substantiate his claims, Sariol mentioned possessing a “release paper” as proof that his legal proceedings have concluded.

He was also interviewed by News5 where he once again debunked stories on social media claiming that he died from that chokehold shown in the video.

He said his primary reason for coming forward was to address the circulating misinformation about his alleged death.

He pleaded for help in stopping the spread of the video and the false narrative surrounding it.

Sariol expressed his limited understanding of how to combat the online rumors and conveyed a sense of vulnerability, stating, “I am asking for help on what I can do...because I have little knowledge as a person, and I also feel sorry for myself, I am now changing my life.”

He earnestly requested shares of his post to counter the viral misinformation.

In a candid disclosure, Sariol explained his absence from Facebook, stating that he had been “lagalag” (a wanderer). He clarified that a friend who had seen the viral video allowed him to use their account to issue his statement.

The resurfacing of this year-old video and the subsequent death hoax highlight the speed and potential for misinformation to spread rapidly on social media.

Sariol’s decision to address the rumors directly from a new online platform underscores the challenges individuals face in controlling their narrative in the digital age.

His plea for help also points to the need for greater awareness and tools to combat the spread of false information online.

While the details of Sariol's initial “mistake” remain unspecified in his post, his focus on his rehabilitation and the debunking of the death hoax are central to his current message.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a rooster thief died and his two other companions were injured when they encountered the gamecock owner who is a policeman. According to initial results of the investigation, the police officer caught the thieves in the act of stealing his prized gamecocks. The thieves then allegedly shot at the police officer, prompting the latter to return fire. 11 fighting roosters worth around P132,000 and a firearm were recovered by police authorities.

Meanwhile, in news abroad, Pope Francis’ coffin was sealed ahead of a scheduled grand funeral this Saturday, April 26. The solemn ceremony, presided over by the Vatican Carmerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrel, marked the end of the 3-day public viewing and the start of the final farewell for the popular Pope. Over a hundred thousand people, including 50 heads of state, are expected to attend the funeral. Breaking tradition, Pope Francis, when he was alive, has opted for a location outside the Vatican as his final resting place which reflected his devotion to a Marian Basilica.

Source: KAMI.com.gh