Men who “hit” cop not our assets – NBI

CEBU, Philippines - National Bureau of Investigation-7 assistant regional director Lauro Reyes said two respondents in the direct assault case filed by Insp. Alvino Enguito of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 are not connected with the NBI.

Last Wednesday, Enguito filed a criminal complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against Joey Cal, Tonyson Lee and Pablo “Paolo” Garcia III, the son of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Enguito, in his affidavit, mentioned that Cal, 48, a resident of Labangon, Cebu City; and Lee, 35, a resident of Mandaue City, were both NBI assets. The two were charged for allegedly hitting the head of Enguito on Dec. 19, 2012 in front of the Provincial Capitol.

Reyes said that it was the first time he heard the name of Tonyson Lee.

“I don’t know him,” he said.

However, he said Cal was formerly an asset of NBI-7 until they got an order from the Department of Justice telling them to discontinue using assets.

Cal and Lee are friends of Paolo.

On Dec. 19, 2012 around 11:20 p.m., Enguito said while he was making his rounds in the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol, Paolo allegedly assaulted him without provocation and struck his head.

Enguito alleged after Paolo struck his head, another person repeated the same to him.  He later identified them as Cal and Lee.

“At this juncture all my men who were in full battle gear reacted upon seeing me attacked and assaulted, but I managed to wave my hands to stay calm thus we have maintained a high degree of tolerance,” the affidavit read.

In an interview earlier, Paolo denied the allegation. He said the filing of the complaint against him was a political harassment.

“We learned from a reliable source that he was asked to file complaints against us,” he said.  (FREEMAN)