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A good samaritan acted quickly to help people being attacked in Manhattan’s Soho shopping district.
Ro Malabanan is a mixed arts master who came upon the scene at the right time.
He has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a yellow belt in judo. WATCH:
This was only one incident where Ro Malabanan came to the rescue.
He was walking to his job as a boxing instructor when he saw a man sucker-punch a construction worker.
After checking on the victim, Ro Malabanan ran the attacker down, and his jiu-jitsu instincts took over.
“I jumped on his back,” said Malabanan. “He tried to swing me off then — but for those of you in the know — a seatbelt position dragged him down to the floor, and I immediately took his back and pinned him to the ground.”
As Malabanan secured the perp while others gathered to share other victims’ similar incidents.
Police investigations lead to information regarding other unprovoked attacks.
More on this story via The New York Post
He was charged with two counts of assault, according to police, who noted that Frazier did not have a home address.
Malabanan, who said he was not interviewed by police because he was late for work, said he believed at least six people were attacked by the unapologetic suspect, who was “playing the victim,” the fighter explained over the phone.
“They were walking into me,” Frazier was filmed explaining to Malabanan as he pleaded for mercy on the ground.
“Nah, that’s bulls–t, bro, you still don’t punch people in the face for no f—ing reason,” the fighter retorted as tourists standing outside the Museum of Ice Cream looked on.
— Advertisement — Two officers eventually arrived and handcuffed the suspect as onlookers shook hands with Malabanan, the footage showed.
Malabanan has lived in New York City since immigrating from the Philippines at the age of 9. He told The Post he has often been harassed over his Asian heritage but has always been able to de-escalate the situation without fighting.
His professional fighting career has been sidelined due to concussions.
Now a martial arts and boxing instructor and aspiring actor, Malabanan said he helps other New Yorkers stand up to bullies by teaching them how to fight and defend themselves.
“Just another day,” he said. “A lot of crazies out there in the streets right now so just please be careful. They will sucker-punch you. They will take out their frustrations.”
