Radaza orders probe into minor's mauling

CEBU, Philippines -  The alleged involvement of the members of Solid Waste Task Force in Lapu-Lapu City into the mauling of a 16-year-old minor got the attention of Mayor Paz Radaza.

In her regular press conference yesterday, Mayor Radaza said she directed the City Attorney's Office to look into the complaints lodged against members of the Solid Waste Task Force headed by Marvin Francisco.

The incident was first reported by The Freeman after the family and relatives of the minor victim lodged a complaint.

The mauling was reported to Police Station 3 of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office which then referred the incident to Barangay Poblacion and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Mayor Radaza said Francisco has a big responsibility as manager of the operations of the city public market.

But when The Freeman told her that they were accused of mauling a 16-year-old minor who was reportedly mistaken as involved in a trouble inside the city public market, Mayor Radaza said the city attorney's office will be the one to look into the incident.

The incident happened on the evening of April 30 based on the documents made available to The Freeman.

It was reported that at about 9 p.m. on day, members of the task force responded to a trouble alarm reportedly involving tricycle drivers.

The 16-year-old victim, who happened to pass by the area, was pointed by some witnesses as involved in the trouble.

Members of the task force then reportedly took turns in attacking the victim. The victim was forced to ride the vehicle of the task force, witnesses said.

The victim reportedly sustained injuries in the different parts of his body and head.

Aside from the mauling incident involving Francisco and members of the Solid Waste Task Force, some job order employees assigned at the Material Recovery Facility in Barangay Bankal also lodged a complaint to Mayor Radaza.

The complaint allegedly involved Francisco's management style at the facility.  (FREEMAN)