Valdez, 33, a resident of Las Piñas City, told police that businessman Mauyaq Ellas and other stall owners beat him up at the Nezrim Telecom stall located at the second floor of the Alabang Town Center at around 8:15 p.m.
Ellas, 35, a resident of Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City, is the owner of the Nezrim Telecom stall.
Senior Police Officer 2 Angel Nieves, officer-on-case, said Valdez was returning a cell phone he had earlier purchased at Ellas’ store, saying the unit was defective.
The trader told Valdez that he would repair the cell phone, but only if he pays an additional P1,500.
This annoyed Valdez, who felt he was being cheated. A heated argument between the two soon ensued.
Adjacent stall owners, mostly Muslims traders allegedly rushed to the aid of Ellas and attacked Valdez.
Valdez sustained bruises in the face, left arm and other parts of the body. His Rolex watch, worth half a million pesos, was damaged during the scuffle.
Valdez’s wife Stephanie was also hurt after being hit.
Ronald Condo, who works at the mall’s security office, later pacified Valdez, Ellas and the other traders.
Nieves said Valdez, a many-time national team mainstay and winner of multiple Southeast Asian Games medals, is set to file charges of attempted homicide and slight physical injuries against Ellas.