Talisay councilor accused of mauling, denies allegations

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Eduardo Gullas III figured in the news yesterday after a man accused him and his friends of assault at a pizza outlet in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City evening of the Sinulog last Sunday.

Sr. Insp. Randy Caballes of Police Station 2 in Cebu City confirmed that the complainant, Ralph Gemini Abadilla, 34, reported the alleged incident at the police station. Abadilla is a resident of Barangay Poblacion Pardo in Cebu City.

Caballes said Abadilla pointed to Gullas and two other men as the ones who allegedly mauled him just as they came out of the restroom at the pizza outlet.

“Hangtud karon, wala pa ko kahibaw ug ngano ila kong gikulata nga wa man unta ko nagki-at atong higayuna kay gikapoy ko kay niapil ko sa procession,” Abadilla told The Freeman in a phone interview.

It was only when his friends came to his rescue when Gullas’ group stopped mauling him.

Abadilla said he had to get treatment from Chong Hua Hospital for the injuries in his head, face, neck, and hands.

Abadilla and Gullas’ groups were drinking separately at the pizza outlet that evening.

Caballes said they are just waiting for Abadilla to file a formal complaint against Gullas and the latter’s companions. No formal complaint was filed as of yesterday.

Abadilla said he and his family have yet to decide on their next step.

Comment

Gullas, in a statement, denied the allegations categorically.

“I want to set the record straight on this matter as this has affected my reputation and my family. There is no truth to the claim of Mr. Abadilla. His statements and the narration of facts in the blotter report are fabricated stories to discredit me,” he said.

Gullas said he and his friends went to the store owned by one Kim Araneta to fetch a certain Danton Adarna.

When they arrived there, he reportedly noticed “a group of young men gathering near the stairs and another group converging across the comfort room.”

When he went to the restroom, a man reportedly bumped him intentionally. When he asked the man why he did that, another man approached them and punched him from behind. Gullas identified the second man as “Mr. Abadilla.”

“When he delivered his blow, I was able to parry the attack. Mr. Abadilla delivered another punch, but this time it was directed at Arden. It hit her head, the blow was strong and violent that it shoved Arden against the wall. Arden sustained contusion hematoma and a bruised arm. My companions rushed to the scene and pulled me away. They drove me off from the area and secured me inside the store of Kim,” Gullas said.

“It was not too long that I saw the situation worsened. A rumble ensued and a ruckus started. When it happened, I was already in the store with Arden and my friends. Suddenly, we heard a screeching sound from the door of the store and I saw Mr. Abadilla carrying a knife and hitting the door as if he wanted to forcefully open it. The act of Mr. Abadilla is well captured with a CCTV in the area,” Gullas said.

Politicking

Gullas also assailed the motive of Talisay City Administrator John Yre de los Reyes who uploaded photos of Abadilla, as well as that of the police blotter, on Facebook.

It was allegedly De los Reyes who fuelled the story.

“It is clear that he is fabricating stories to excite the people in showing contempt against me and my family. Clearly, this man’s agenda is political and this man’s tongue has mastered unfaithfulness to the truth,” Gullas said.

Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, the Talisay Council’s majority floor leader, also said the motive might be political, considering it is the political season. — /JMO (FREEMAN)