Drunk punched Leon mayor

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The municipal mayor of Leon was attacked by two men believed to be drunk inside the town's public market Sunday night when the former reminded them of the curfew imposed inside the public market.

Mayor Romulo Cabana sustained hematoma on his eyes after Clemente Marquez, 22, threw him a fist blow. While, Marquez's companion Ariel Costula, 23, grabbed and held the mayor's hands. The suspects also suffered lacerations and contusions after bystanders mobbed them. They were arrested and detained at the police station.

The incident started when Cabana approached the suspects and reminded them the market would be closed by exactly 10 p.m. The suspects at that time were having a drinking session inside the public market past 9 p.m. However, one of the suspects angrily punched the mayor. The mayor was caught off-guarded.

Cabana said he has no bodyguard at the time of the incident. He was only with his helper, who has just finished packing mangoes for delivery. He said he was caught flat-footed when Marquez suddenly punched him while his companion grabbed him.

The mayor said the suspects perhaps did not recognize him. Marquez grew up in Mindanao. The suspects were reeking with liquors when Cabana spoke to them. Cabana said Marquez's family is close to him and he has no plans yet to file appropriate charges for assaulting him.

He said he is set to meet Marquez's family to discuss what transpired last Sunday night. This early, the mayor is willing to forgive the suspects. Cabana is only thankful that he has no police escorts or no one in the crowd used bladed to attack the suspects.