Actress files charges vs attacker in campaign sortie

MANILA, Philippines - Actress Angelica dela Cruz, who is running for barangay chairman in Malabon City, filed charges yesterday against a man who reportedly tried to stab her during last Saturday’s campaign sortie.

Dela Cruz, accompanied by her father, Ernesto, filed charges of attempted murder and violation of the Omnibus Election Code against Pedro Becondado, 37, at the Malabon prosecutor’s office.

Becondado is handcuffed to his bed at the Tondo Medical Center after he was stabbed by one Dela Cruz’s supporters when he reportedly tried to attack her.

Dela Cruz is running for chairman of Barangay Longos in lieu of her father, who was dismissed in May by the Office of the Ombudsman for graft. 

The actress was going from house to house along Martiniko and Maya-Maya streets just before 6 p.m. when Becondado, who was reported to be drunk, tried to stab her from behind, police said.

Dela Cruz said her bodyguard prevented Becondado from stabbing her, then took her to her car as her supporters ganged up on the suspect. Investigators recovered a knife from Becondado.

During interrogation, Becondado admitted that he was a cousin of candidate for councilman Buddha delos Reyes, who is running under the ticket of Dela Cruz’s cousin and rival for the barangay’s top post, Roel Santos.

Becondado was seen wearing a campaign t-shirt of Santos underneath a jacket when he allegedly attacked Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz said the suspect did not say who ordered the attack but she believes it was politically motivated.

She said Santos was among five councilmen who were behind the “made up” allegations that led to her father’s dismissal.