Female Reporter complains Biñas faces raps for acts of lasciviousness but Talisay police chief denies allegation

CEBU, Philippines - A news organization filed a complaint against Talisay City Police Station Chief Henry Biñas for acts of lasciviousness, claiming he put a hand on the breast and tried to kiss a lady correspondent.

But Biñas denied the allegation. He said he will face the investigation and is even ready to relinquish his post, if necessary, to protect his name.

Carmel Loise Matus, a correspondent of the Cebu Daily News, alleged that on the morning of February 8, after interviewing Biñas about the latest caper of Joavan Fernandez, the police chief allegedly “pulled her close, put a hand on her breast and tried to kiss her.”

Lawyer Heidi Acuña, legal counsel and Eileen Mangubat, acting editor-in-chief of CDN, filed an administrative complaint before the Provincial Regional Office (PRO) 7.

The complaint was addressed to PRO 7 Chief Ager Ontog. But Biñas stressed it’s not true he did it to the reporter.

“I did not intend to offend her. Kahibaw naman gyud mo nga inamigo ra nang atoa diri. Kung nasaghiran nako iyang dughan, it was not intentional and malicious painted with hidden desire,” said Biñas.

Biñas added that since he assumed as Talisay City police chief in November 2008, he has become close to media practitioners covering the Talisay City beat, women included.

He said this is the first time he is slapped with such a complaint in his entire life. He admitted he felt slighted by the accusation.

“Sakit jud kay kaila man mo namo, kahibawo na mo sa atong friendship, no malice. Katong panahona, nagkomedyahanay pa mi ni Robert (Sabuequil), pero nasorprisa na lang ko ganiha (yesterday) nga gilain diay to niya og sabot,” he said. (I feel hurt because you know very well our friendship here has no malice. At that time, we were even joking around with Robert Sabuequil so I was really surprised that she misunderstood it.)

Biñas just learned of the complaint yesterday noon. He said he will face the complaint and that he is willing to vacate his post if needed so he could defend himself.

Meanwhile, Bombo Radyo reporter Robert Sabequil, who was with Matus while interviewing the police chief, said that after their interview he and Matus went out of the police chief’s office.

Matus, however, went back inside but quickly went out again and caught up with him.

“Paggawas namo, sige ra man to siya’g katawa nagsakay pa mi sa motor padung sa City Hall. Kung naa man gani nahitabo, murag wala ra man ni Carmel,” he said. (When we left his office Carmel was just laughing. If ever something happened there, it seemed, then, that she was not affected by it.)

The FREEMAN tried to contact Matus for comment, to no avail. — (FREEMAN)