Mauling victim seeks JVR’s help

CEBU, Philippines - The man who claimed to have been mauled by Talisay City Councilor Eduardo “Digul” Gullas III during last Sunday’s after Sinulog Parade party in the uptown area yesterday sought the advice of Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes.

Ralph Gemini Abadilla, 34, together with his three witnesses admitted his family is scared of Gullas but stood firm of his accusation.

“Ila mang gibali ang nahitabo. Para nako ang nahitabo mao gyud to’ng akong gisulti,” Abadilla said.

Abadilla said his parents were scared after learning from the news reports that the person involved in the alleged mauling incident was the grandson of former congressman Eduardo Gullas.

“Na times ten na ang among kahadlok, sir,  labi na akong inahan nga nagkurog sa pagbasa sa balita unya ang akong amahan na-high blood na,” Abadilla added.

Although his family is scared, Abadilla said he will pursue the filing of charges against the city councilor. He said he was guided by Delos Reyes where to seek justice and what offices to ask for help.

The mayor refused to be interviewed, saying he does not want to be misinterpreted considering that Digul’s grandfather is challenging his reelection bid.

It was Delos Reyes’ son, John Yre, who first uploaded on his Facebook account the police blotter and the picture of Abadilla.

Abadilla claimed he was mauled by Digul and his friends in Barangay Capitol Site last Sunday evening after the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Digul denied the allegations, saying he went to the place to fetch a certain Danton Adarna.

When he arrived at the place he 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 and punched him from behind. Digul identified the suspect as Abadilla.

His friends allegedly pulled him out to safety but a rumble ensued between the group of Abadilla and another group of people. The incident was allegedly captured by a CCTV in the area.

Meanwhile, police investigators at Fuente Police Station where the alleged mauling incident was reported yesterday clarified that they are not taking sides.

Police Officer 3 Cliffton Manogura, the desk officer who recorded the incident, said it was his job to accommodate everyone regardless of the social status of the person. Manogura said there was no truth to the insinuations that they sided with Gullas.

Reports had it that the police did not immediately accommodate Abadilla and waited for Gullas to file the report first.

“In fact, naa ra man ang blotter nganhi. Gi-picture-ran pa man gani niya. Di man na mahimo nga tagoan namo ang blotter,” said Manogura.

“Ako pa man gani nag-entertain ni Abadilla. Tanan niyang storya akong gi-record para wala’y mahay,” he added.  (FREEMAN)