Mother Pleads for Release of Viral “Fishball Warrior” Son Arrested at Protest
The mother pleads for the release of her viral “fishball warrior” son who was arrested during a protest against corruption in Manila.
The mother of Alvin Karingal, known online as the “fishball warrior,” expressed her heartbreaking plead after her son was arrested during a large protest in Manila on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Meanne Karingal said she spent the night worrying and asking authorities to release her 32-year-old son. She explained that Alvin has schizophrenia and is a person with disability, hoping this would be considered in his case.
“Kagabi pa ako nagsabi sa kanila na may schizophrenia [at] PWD [si Alvin]. Ang sagot sa amin, kunin ang pangalan at ive-verify namin,” Karingal said.
Karingal added that she only wanted to see her son face to face and ensure his well-being while under custody.
“Gusto kong kausapin ‘yung anak ko nang harap-harapan kasi PWD ‘yan. Sana makalaya siya. Sana tipong masubaybayan ko rin,” she added.
The arrest has drawn attention because Alvin had gone viral earlier for his unusual protest chants. While others in the rally spoke about corruption and governance issues, Alvin chose to call out the rising prices of street food like fish balls, kikiam, tokneneng, kwek-kwek, and calamares.
His funny demand for cheaper snacks quickly spread on social media, sparking sympathy from netizens who could relate to how even simple street food has become expensive.
Eventually, photos of Alvin being escorted by police officers went viral online, shifting the mood from humor to concern. Many people questioned why a man who raised relatable issues ended up in custody.
In a previous report, a man advocating for lower street food prices arrested during protest
As of this writing, police have not provided a clear explanation for Alvin’s arrest. The lack of details has fueled more discussions online, with supporters calling for answers.
The social media users expressed their reactions to her statement:
