JVR kin tagged in CSU member mauling

CEBU, Philippines -  A brother of Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is now in hot water for allegedly mauling a member of the Civil Security Unit who questioned the brother's intervention on their operations.

Initial reports said James De los Reyes, tagged as "confidential employee" at the mayor's office, engaged in a verbal tussle with a certain Jun-Jun dela Rosa, a contractual worker assigned at the CSU.

The argument was said to happen in front of the City Hall Tuesday afternoon.

According to Roger Villaver, CSU head, the argument started when James allegedly "intruded" into the work of CSU members who were recently able to recover stolen wires.

"Nikwestiyon man na siya sa among operation…kung giunsa namo'g dakup…ug nganong gikuha namo ang wirings mao na nga nakapagawas ko sa akong komentaryo nganong mag apil-apil man siya nga wa man siya'y labot?" Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said hours before their dismissal from work, James approached him and suddenly hit him.

Fortunately, he was able to parry the attack but got hit when James kicked him on his left arm.

The incident did not take long as they were immediately pacified.

It was also alleged that James told his men to get his "armalite" and, not contented, went to CSU office and told Dela Rosa that they were not yet finished.

In a separate interview, James said he has authority to question every operation inside the City Hall since he is part of the personnel at the mayor's office.

He said Dela Rosa is fabricating stories but did not deny that he got irked and that he hit the latter.

"Ako na siya'ng papilion og unsa ang iyang gusto, kung gusto siya og sinukmagay, aw sinukmagay, ug gusto siya og pinusilay, aw tagaan sab nako siya og pinusilay. Naanad nako ana sa Mindanao," the mayor's brother said.

James added he would not apologize to anyone since he could not find anything wrong with his action. He is willing to face any charges if Dela Rosa pursues.

Superintendent Reycel Carmelo Dayon, chief of Talisay City Police Office, said both have the right to file charges in this case. He promised the police will remain neutral and assist whoever pursues in filing charges.  (FREEMAN)