Ray Parks, Aby Maraño, other athletes back detained celebrity Awra Briguela amid controversy

Several athletes have expressed support for McNeal Briguela, more popularly known as Awra, after the celebrity host was arrested on Thursday. Awra figured in a brawl outside a bar in Makati. Videos of the controversial brawl and the ensuing arrest of Awra have been circulating online ever since.

Awra is still detained at the Makati Police Headquarters after charges of physical injury, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority were filed against the artist.

Friends from the showbiz industry, and now from the sports community, are backing Awra in this controversy.

Couple Aby Maraño and Kamille Cal, De La Salle Lady Spiker Leila Cruz, and Choco Mucho Flying Titan Isa Molde all reshared a "We Stand With Awra" card on their respective social media accounts. 

The card has a caption, "Justice for Awra and the victims of sexual harassment! Stop the attacks on women's and LGBTQI rights!"

Gilas Pilipinas guard Bobby Ray Parks Jr also chimed in on the issue.

"What type of world do we live in nowadays? This young and beautiful soul is being punished for taking up for her friend that was molested," Parks said in a tweet.

"Stop the bu****it and public humiliation. Fair judgment isn’t too much to ask for. Know that we all are here with you, beloved. Peace and love."

What type of world do we live in now a days. This young and beautiful soul is being punished for taking up for her friend that was molested. Stop the bullshxt & public humiliation. Fair judgment isn’t too much to ask for. Know that we all are here with you,beloved. Peace & Love.

— Ray Parks Jr. (@ray1parks) June 29, 2023

According to reports, the incident started when Awra confronted a man for harassing and groping her friend. The other party denied the accusation. The Makati police said they are investigating the incident and are waiting for more complainants to come forward.

(MDB)