Suspect wants school gun-poking case junked

MANILA, Philippines - The parent who allegedly poked a gun at a Colegio San Agustin (CSA) high school senior asked the Makati City prosecutor’s office on Tuesday to dismiss the complaint filed against him, claiming the student reportedly committed perjury.

In a motion, Allan Bantiles said his accuser, 18-year-old Jesus Manuel Garcia, stated in his complaint-affidavit that prior to the alleged gun-poking incident, he flicked a classmate’s shoulder with a ballpen.

Bantiles said that in several media interviews Garcia admitted having stabbed one classmate and punched another. He said this is the reason why Garcia’s classmate, who is a minor and who was reportedly stabbed by him with a ballpen, had also filed a complaint for child abuse against Garcia before the Makati City prosecutor’s office.

Garcia’s lawyer, Dominic John Balane said his client would be filing his counter-affidavit refuting Bantiles’ allegations on Tuesday.

Garcia filed charges of attempted murder, slander and slander by deed against Bantiles for allegedly slapping him in the face and pointing a .45 caliber pistol at his head during a confrontation at the CSA faculty office last Aug. 30.