To silence P2.8 billion issue? Attack on supporters 'brutal'

CEBU, Philippines - The Nagkahiusang Mandauehanon-Nacionalista Party yesterday described as “brutal” the bashing yesterday dawn of its three supporters allegedly carried out by sixth district congressional aspirant Ariston “Baludong” Cortes, the elder brother of incumbent Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes of the Liberal Party, and some followers.

Mandaue City mayoralty candidate of Nagkahiusang Mandauehanon-Nacionalista Party 6th district Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz said the incident could have been a diversionary tactic to deflect voters’ attention from incumbent Mayor Jonas Cortes’ inability to manage the city well and what he had done so far with the P2.8 billion budget for three years the city council had granted his administration.

Soon-Ruiz and Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna both described the incident as a “brutal act.” They said their supporters volunteered that day to keep an eye on their posters in particular areas.

Soon-Ruiz considers the incident the worst case of “political war” in the city and described it as a desperate move by opponents which should be condemned.

“Niadto dugay man dyud kaayo ming nag-atubang sa politika sa mga Ouano binabaay ra man to ang amo unya mag-abot sa barangay apan karon physical violence naman dyud ang gamiton sa kaatbang,” Soon-Ruiz said.

At a press conference yesterday, the Nagkahiusang Mandauehanon presented Mark Jess Kier Tumbiga, 24, Charlier Salumbaga, 23, and a juvenile. They said there were about 14 of them at that time in barangay Tingub when attacked.

They claimed that while they were on their way home on board a multicab, armed men, who were in another multicab, on a motorcycle, and in a gray-colored KIA car, blocked their path.

Tumbiga said the man on the motorcycle was wearing a shirt which bore the name of Baludong Cortes. He said the man then took of his shirt and struck them one by one. He also hit their driver.

Despite their superior number, the armed men only numbering about 10, were taller and stronger, he said.

Tumbiga said a man who they recognized as “Baludong” got off from the car, and when he saw them he went back in, and then got off again, but this time wearing a bonnet.

One of Baludong’s companions, who was also wearing a bonnet, struck the face of the16-year-old with a .45 caliber, Tumbiga said.

The minor was taken to hospital to have the wound inflicted on him stitched.

As alleged, the group scampered for safety, and, as Salumbaga ran toward the national highway, he was shot at twice but missing him. He then took a tricycle home.

Fortuna’s supporters yesterday said they were disappointed with the Casuntingan police because when they sought help from them, they were told that they couldn’t respond to the alarm for lack of a vehicle.

Fortuna’s supporters said they offered their vehicle but the police turned down the offer and did not record the incident in the blotter.

MCPO director Noel Gillamac in an interview said police responded to the alarm but the suspects where no longer there.

But he said he will order the Investigation and Detection Management Bureau to investigate the Casuntingan police because he found some operational lapses considering that they could have called the Mobile Patrol Group for assistance if they did not have any vehicle to respond to the alarm.

In a separate interview with Baludong Cortes, he denied being at the site where the incident took place.

He said he was already home before 12 midnight last Tuesday from a “pulong-pulong.”

Baludong said it very well could have been his supporters that saw Fortuna’s supporters tearing down his campaign posters and those of his brother’s, Mayor Jonas Cortes, that could have ended in an encounter.

“Bakak dyud na nga didto ko anang hitaboa. Basin ug mga supporters to nako ug sa mayor nag-abot sa ilang mga supporters ug nakakita nga naay nilangkatay nga nahitabo.

Ambot nganong pasanginlan man dyud ko nila. Siguro desperate move lang dyud ni nila. Basta ako I don’t want my campaign to be distracted,” Baludong said.

He said he would not go out without any police escort. He said an escort had been assigned to him by the PNP and Comelec.

“Wa man kaha sila’y nakita nga nag-police uniform. So dili to ako kay kon ako’y molakaw, naa dyud ko’y police escort,” Baludong said. – THE FREEMAN