Town councilor, 2 others face charges for attacking neighbor

CEBU, Philippines - A town councilor of Poro, and two others are facing charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly attacking their neighbor.

A certain Eddie Donaire Estrera, 48, a resident of sitio Mactang, Barangay Esperanza, Poro, alleged that he was awakened from his sleep when a hard object hit him.

He said that when stood up, he was surprised to see three persons, whom two of them are his neighbors, inside his hut.

Named respondents were municipal Councilor Agustus Zurita alias Bobong, and a certain Inong Palacio of the same place, and Dindin Garciano of sitio Bagacawa, Barangay Mercedes, Poro.

Estrera said before he could say a word, the respondents boxed and kicked him several times.

The respondents reportedly stopped attacking him after his wife, Susana, begged them to stop.

Estrera sought medical attention and it was only on the following day that he reported the matter to the police station.

Estrera has filed charges for grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming a government official, violation of domicile and slight physical injury against Zurita.

Charges for trespassing and physical injury were filed against Palacio and Garciano.

Susana corroborated the statements of her husband through an affidavit.

On Oct. 26, 2013 at about 8:00 p.m., she said while she was inside their house, the respondents arrived onboard a motorcycle asking the whereabouts of Eddie, her husband. She told them that Eddie was already asleep in their hut, adjacent to their house.

Susana told them to come back the following day but Zurita allegedly resisted and picked up an umbrella and hit her husband.

The complaint was originally filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

However, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol forwarded it to Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba for appropriate action in pursuance to Ombudsman-Department of Justice Memorandum of Agreement.  (FREEMAN)