Mabanto's accuser faces raps instead

CEBU, Philippines - The Japanese national who accused Mandaue City Prosecutor Bienvenido Mabanto, Jr. of mauling him faces a string of criminal charges instead.

Mabanto yesterday filed complaints for direct assault to a person in authority, malicious mischief and physical injuries against Tamotso Miyauchi before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office.

Assistant city prosecutor Felixberto Geromo immediately elevated the charges before the court after finding probable cause for direct assault and malicious mischief. Geromo however dropped the physical injuries as it is already absorbed in direct assault.

 On top of these charges, Mabanto eyes another criminal complaint for unjust vexation against Miyauchi after the latter took pictures of the prosecutor while signing his affidavit complaint before the prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Mabanto noticed Miyauchi taking pictures of him using a cellular phone prompting him to request Police Officer 3 Roy Tolentino to confiscate the suspect’s cellphone. Miyauchi said he took pictures of Mabanto “for memory only.”

But Mabanto said he will file another criminal complaint against the Japanese national.

Mabanto and Miyauchi figured Friday in a heated verbal altercation on the middle of M.C. Briones Street which led to the mauling of the latter.

Miyauchi claimed Mabanto mauled him but the latter claimed it was the bystanders who mauled the Japanese national.

Mabanto claimed it was he who suffered bruises when he fell on the ground after Miyauchi pushed him.

Mabanto was also accused earlier of slapping a bus driver because of traffic violation. A complaint for grave misconduct is now pending before the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office against Mabanto. (THE FREEMAN)