American, 6 Pinoys arrested after brawl

CEBU, Philippines - An American national, his Filipina girlfriend, and five other men were arrested and detained after they figured in a brawl inside a restobar in Subangdaku, Mandaue City at 3 a.m. yesterday.

Arrested were American national Bibit Paul Lambrix, 30, Lambrix’ girlfriend Maria Bella Meles-co, 30, a resident of Barangay Canjulao, and Martin Palcon, 27; Ritchie Andama, 24; John Lloyd Villaro, 25; Jeje Ledres, 29; and Ariel Josol, 40. All five men are single and residents of Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City.

PO2 Gilbert Igot of the Subangdaku Police Station said the incident at MO2 Restobar started when Josol approached Melesco and allegedly flipped her cap, which prompted Lambrix to stand and confront Josol.

Irked at what he saw, Palcon approached the three, but Lambrix was quick to hold his hand and choke him. Seeing this, Josol grabbed a bottle of beer and smashed it on Lambrix’s head.

Biato Solano, who operates the restobar, called up the police who arrived shortly and arrested the suspects.

Igot said Lambrix was taken to the Mandaue City Hospital where he was treated for his head injury. He was also submitted to a liquor test, along with the five other suspects, all of them tested positive of intoxicating liquor.

Andama, Ledres and Villaro were implicated in the case since they were with Josol and Palcon.

The seven were detained at Subangdaku Police Station and will only be released if each of them would pay the P500 fine.

PO2 Igot said they will file another case for physical injuries against the five suspects from Cebu City.

The police said the suspects fought with the American national just for thrill or “paregla.”

— (FREEMAN)