Japanese claims fiscal mauled him

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese national who came to Cebu to put up a business here landed at the Subangdaku Police detention cell after he was arrested by the police after allegedly assaulting Mandaue City Prosecutor Beinvenido Mabanto Jr. following a heated argument over a traffic violation.

But Tamotsu Miyauchi, 46, has a different story; he accused Mabanto of blocking his way and then mauling him with the help of policemen and traffic enforcers.

Mabanto is also the vice chairman of the Mandaue City Traffic Management Board.

It was Mabanto who reported first to the police in Barangay Subangdaku.He said last Friday afternoon he was driving his Kia Rio on his way to his office in the Mandaue City Palace of Justice Building in Barangay Guizo, when Miyauchi’s motorcycle struck his vehicle from behind in Barangay Bakilid.

Mabanto said he stopped at the middle of the road and disembarked from the vehicle, when Miyauchi came up to him and pushed him.

Mabanto said he was injured in his left elbow.

Police Officer 3 Randy Batistis of the Mandaue City Police Office, who responded to the incident, said when he arrived at the place Miyauchi had already been mauled by the bystanders in the area.

Yesterday morning Mabanto returned to the police station to report the damage to his vehicle and additional injuries he sustained during the incident, specifically to his left little finger.

Mabanto is determined to file charges of direct assault against the Japanese national.

But in separate interview with The FREEMAN in his detention cell in the Subangdaku Police Station, Miyauchi, temporarily residing in Lapu-Lapu City, denied that he attacked Mabanto, but claimed he was the one being attacked by Mabanto with the help of police and traffic enforcers.

He said that at around 3 p.m. last Friday, he was driving his motorcycle with a female friend, but upon reaching M.C. Briones St. in Barangay Bakilid, a vehicle suddenly blocked his path for no apparent reason.

He knocked on the left door of the vehicle to inform the driver that his actions were dangerous.

But to his surprise, the driver, later identified as Mabanto, disembarked from the vehicle and then introduced himself as a police officer.

Miyauchi said Mabanto pulled out his cellular phone and called someone, minutes later policemen and traffic enforcers arrived at the scene.

A policeman allegedly hit his back twice using handcuffs, the same officer allegedly handcuffed him upon the instructions of Mabanto.

Mabanto then kicked him in the abdomen while his other companions attacked him.

Miyauchi then said he was forced to go with them on board a vehicle, still handcuffed, and brought to the Mandaue City Hospital.

His friend, lawyer Ken Grace Mendoza, arrived at the hospital and reportedly noted Miyauchi had injuries to his back, abdomen and different parts of the body.

Miyauchi is set to file formal charges against Mabanto and the policemen and traffic enforcers who attacked him.—/BRP (FREEMAN)