Chivalry or self-preservation?

My brother was aboard the jeepney when all of a sudden, someone snatched a girl’s necklace. It was chaos after that. The man beside the girl told her that he noticed the snatcher already but was just too afraid of what might happen to him so he didn’t say anything. My brother was so angry. He said that the guy should have done something, probably grab the snatcher because he was so near. He would have done so, said my brother.

Of course, when we heard what he said, we castigated him. Snatchers, robbers and other street criminals carry a weapon with them all the time. There were local news reports about those who defended themselves against these snatchers and got stabbed in return. Worse, some were even shot by these criminals! We don’t want that to happen to my brother, or to anyone else for that matter. The trick these days is to just stay calm and give the robber what he’s asking or just let the snatcher go. Whatever’s been taken from you can be bought back. Your life can’t be.

Life preservation is better. Unless you see someone being killed and you have the capacity to defend him/her, then do so. If not, better run as fast as you can or go to the nearest police station and let the authorities handle it. Call me a coward or selfish but these criminals have nothing to lose so they won’t think twice about killing you.

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