Ouano accused of assaulting 4 tanods

CEBU, Philippines – Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano and his bodyguard were accused of assaulting four tanods of Barangay Opao Monday dawn.

Joselito Sison, 48, Efipanio Barrientos, 51, Venancio Murilla, 46, and Jason Montebon, 46 reported to Opao Police Station after they were allegedly beaten up by Ouano and his bodyguard Frankie Simbajon.

The victims said they were patrolling Cabahug Street in Barangay Opao at 1:30 a.m., when a black Toyota pickup with plate number SHT 438 stopped in front of them.

The two men on board, whom they identified as Ouano and Simbajon, alighted from the vehicle and asked where they live. Ouano reportedly took off Sison's cap and struck his head with it.

Sison added that Ouano also slapped his face while Simbajon banged his head on the wall of a store.

Barrientos also alleged that Ouano approached him and asked where he lived. Then the bodyguard struck him on the stomach and kicked his leg.

Ouano also struck Murilla on the head while Simbajon also boxed Montebon on his stomach, the tanods claimed. They were frisked before Ouano and Simbajon left.

Ouano vehemently denied having figured in the incident. He claimed he was at home already asleep when the alleged incident took place.

He said he couldn't have been up at such an unholy hour because he wasn't running for any post.

Ouano said that with his age at 64, he could no longer do that to anybody especially if he is to have an encounter with four people who he supposed are well-built.

"Maayo unta og bata-bata pa ta aron mapasanginlan anang butanga," Ouano said.

Ouano firmly believes the tanods do not reside in Opao. Simbajon said that he does not only serve Ouano but also serves as bodyguard of Nixon "Jojo" Dizon, Ouano's son-in-law.

Simbajon claimed he has not seen Ouano before the incident took place.

Ouano believes his sister Joy Ouano is behind the accusations since he is openly supporting their younger sister Basiliza Ouano Icalina who is running for barangay captain in Opao against Jonel Maloloyon.

Joy is supporting Maloloyon instead of her sister.      Joy, however, said she has never resorted to dirty tactics.

She said some residents saw her brother attacked the four barangay tanods for no reason at all.

"May pa pangutanon na lang na siya ug unsay iyang gibuhat sa dalan anang mga orasa ug gigamit pa dyud ang sakyanan sa gobyerno," Joy said. (FREEMAN)