Fireman attacks police chief

CEBU, Philippines - Questioning the legality of the arrest of his alleged paramour, a fire officer is in trouble after he attacked the chief of police of Barili Police Station Thursday evening.

But the fireman (name withheld), 47, married, of Lapu-Lapu City was subdued by the personnel of Chief Insp. Marlon Gumabao after a brief scuffle.

The fireman is now detained at the Barili police stockade after charges of direct assault against persons in authority, serious disobedience and resisting arrest were filed against him.

Gumabao revealed that the fireman came to his office Thursday night and demanded the release of his alleged paramour, a 28-year-old woman, from Carcar City.

The woman was arrested Wednesday evening after her husband caught her and the fireman allegedly cuddling each other inside the fire station.

The 30-year-old husband was with his mother during the incident.

He confronted the duo and asked them to discuss the matter at the police station but the two refused.

This prompted the husband to seek police assistance. The police station is about 20 meters away from the fire station.

When the police arrived, they arrested the woman but the fireman was no longer around.

Gumabao said the husband already had a hint that his wife was having an affair because she frequents the fire station.

Last Thursday evening, the fireman appeared at the police station and confronted Gumabao on the legality of the woman’s detention.

Gumabao requested the fireman to calm down and discuss the matter inside his office but he refused and ordered Gumabao to release the woman.

Because Gumabao refused, the fireman attacked the police chief which prompted PO2 Elmer Opsima and PO2 Marcelo Quibido to arrest the fireman.

Quibido sustained minor injuries in his arms because of the scuffle.

Prosecutor Jay Paradiang recommended the filing of direct assault against persons in authority and their agents, serious disobedience and for resisting arrest before Municipal Trial Court in Barili against the fireman.

Paradiang recommended bail of P200,000 for direct assault and P12,000 for serious disobedience.

Gumabao said the husband refused to file adultery and cuncubinage case against his wife this time but will pursue the case if the woman commits the same mistake again. — Ria Mae Y. Booc/Mylen P. Manto/MBG (THE FREEMAN)