MARCH 13, 1981: THE DEATH OF "BEN TUMBLING"; RECREATED IN FILM STARRING LITO LAPID

"Ben Tumbling: A People's Journal Story" (1985)- Stars Lito Lapid, Vivian Velez, Chralie Davao, George Estregan, Raoul Aragonn, Deborah Sun/ with Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Bomber Moran, Dick Israel, Suzanne Gpnzales, Lucita Soriano, Philip Gamboa, Romy Diaz, Renato Del Prado, Amay Bisaya/ Directed by Diego Cagahastian

Benjamin Garcia or Ben Tumbling (1957-81) was only 23 when he was shot and killed in an ambush set up by police operatives led by Intelligence Chief Vicente Vinarao.

Ben Tumbling, who hails from Malabon, derived his nickname from his earlier job as a movie stuntman. An expert in karate, he was said to have incredible acrobatic abilities, a talent helped him make quick getaways from arresting policemen.

It was said that Ben’s hatred with police started with a traumatic brutallity he experienced. He was heavily tortured by arresting policemen as a juvenile delinquent. His head was hit hard by a chair, dunked in toilet bowl and his genitals electrocuted. Reports said that all this torture might have forgiven by Ben but what drove him for really hatting policemen of Malabon was when some of them raped his young wife.

He was later involved in robberies, car jacking and drug trafficking. In a matter of months, 7 policemen were shot dead, their guns taken from them. Because of this attacks, Ben Tumbling was now high up on the police’s “Most Wanted” list.

Malabon Police were now afraid of him.

Ben’s friends and neighbors received gifts from him. Those in dire needs suddenly received cash from him. It is easy to see why poor communities of Malabon saw Ben Tumbling as a hero, not as a criminal. When he was shot dead by policemen on Friday the 13th of March 1981, poor people of Malabon wept openly.

Source: http://matibay-thewayilookatit.blogspot.com/

Malabon Cemetery

uploaded by apawmango