Man mauled, point to brgy execs as attackers
Suspect or victim?
Such awaits answer as the family of a 32 year-old resident of La Paz District, Iloilo City vowed to pursue charges against at least three barangay officials here.
An offshoot of unsettled arguments in previous basketball games in the area, Jay Bolante was stabbed, mauled then shot in a melee Saturday evening that placed him at odds over the barangay captain, a barangay kagawad and at least two members of the volunteer 'police' or tanods.
With injuries sustained including a gunshot wound in the leg, Bolante ended though behind bars and tagged as the suspect for what the officials insist was the alarm and scandal and public disturbance caused by the 32 year-old.
Authorities who responded rounded up the 'cast of characters' which included Baldoza Barangay Captain Antonio Jaleco, Barangay Kagawad Reynold "Blam" Saban and unidentified male tanods. Minutes into the investigation, Jaleco was released and in the end, it was Bolante who was held at the Lapaz Police Office detention cell.
Bolante when reached by reporters denied the charges of direct assault, violation of Batas Pambasa 6 or possession of deadly weapon and resisting arrest. Bystanders interviewed in various local radio stations supported Bolante's accounts however barangay officials concerned maintained it was him who provoked the attack.
Pressed for details, Bolante said his woes stemmed from the basketball tournament in the barangay where he got the ire of the barangay officials for questioning the decisions of the referee. Saturday evening's incident was an 'overkill,' he told reporters while adding that he is bent on filing a charge against his attackers.