Fine Arts grad survives beating

Police are tracking down at least five suspects in the near fatal beating of a Fine Arts graduate before dawn Monday in Valenzuela City.

Ian Joy Noguera, 25, of 54 Bloodstone street, Sta. Monica Compound in Barangay Dalandanan, is still under observation at a city hospital due to serious head and body injuries.

Superintendent Jose Marcelo, Valenzuela City police chief, ordered Senior Police Investigator Jess Saguisi to immediately investigate the mauling and file possible charges against the suspects.

Noguera, who could barely speak due to his injuries, said the incident occurred along Encarnacion street in Sta. Monica compound at around 2 a.m.

The victim said he was on his way home when he passed by a group of five men having a drinking session. Four of them were acquaintances, whom he identified as Christian Adriano, Jeff Punzalan, Lester Hipolito and Yayay Adriano.

The four invited Noguera to join them and was introduced to another drinking buddy, Rommel Lagasca, alias "Balong," a known toughie in their area, being a nephew of a police officer.

"It was our barangay fiesta and though I was already a little drunk, I gave in to their invitation just to please them," Noguera said.

During the drinking bout, Noguera said they exchanged jokes but Lagasca kept quiet and just listened.

"I just couldn’t recall what funny story I had shared with the group that irked some of them, especially Lagasca," he said.

According to Noguera, Lagasca hit him with a blunt object in the head and as he fell from his seat, somebody kicked him and he passed out.

The group left him for dead, but moments later, Noguera regained consciousness and managed to walk home.

Noguera’s mother checked on her son in his room and was shocked to see blood dripping down his bed.

According to the victim’s relatives, they immediately reported the incident to the Dalandanan police but were only given a run-around. – Pete Laude