CEBU, Philippines - Child abuse charges are set to be filed today at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Hilantagaan, Sta. Fe barangay captain Jenor Marabi and his three cohorts for allegedly mauling a 16-year-old boy.
Marabi’s cohorts were identified as Jurel Premacio, a member of the Barangay Peace-Keeping Action Team, barangay tanod Dumon Illustrisimo and his son, a certain Tato, were identified by the victim as the ones who mauled him.
SPO1 Shiela Illustrisimo, Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk officer of the Sta. Fe Police Station, told The FREEMAN that they are ready to file the case as soon as the victim appears today.
“Okay na naa na ang affidavit niya ug sa iyang witness,” Illustrisimo said.
She explained that the filing of the case was delayed because the victim, accompanied by his grandmother, proceeded directly to the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City without any document.
“Wala man sila gaagi nako nga mo-file diay sila. Pag-abot didto gipabalik ra gihapon sila, kalas lang sila’g plete,” the policewoman said.
In a separate interview, Marabi denied the allegation but is willing to face the investigation.
He believed that the filing of the case against him was orchestrated by somebody.
“Kahibalo man ko ana ba nga gisakyan man gyud na ug pamulitika ug ako’y giduot,” he told The FREEMAN in a phone interview.
On Dec. 17, the four suspects were accused of mauling the allegedly drunk victim at a benefit dance in the said barangay.
The minor victim’s refusal to pay the P10 entrance fee reportedly started an altercation which prompted Illustrisimo to punch him on the face.
Jurel and Marabi reportedly arrived and helped Illustrisimo in mauling the victim. It was Marabi who allegedly pulled out a .38 revolver and hit the victim on the head.
The victim’s medical certificate revealed that he was suffering contusions on different parts of his body.
Marabi alleged that the victim was notorious for being a troublemaker in their barangay.
SPO1 Illustrisimo confirmed the barangay captain’s statement.
“Naa sad siya’y record nga kawat pero ginagmay ra gud kana sa’ng bugoy-bugoy,” she said. — (FREEMAN)