South Border drummer charged for abusing ex-lover

MANILA, Philippines - A drummer who is reportedly a member of the band South Border has been charged before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office for allegedly abusing his former live-in partner.

Benjamin Mendez was charged with physical injuries and violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act.

A 25-year-old woman who said she and Mendez lived together from Jan. 27, 2008 to Sept. 11 filed the complaint with the assistance of the Quezon City Police District Station 2.

She said Mendez would hurt her whenever she was unable to answer him to his satisfaction, or when she disobeyed him, and “shallow” reasons. The abuses happened from Jan. 1, 2009 to Sept. 11, according to the victim.

The complainant said Mendez would sometimes strangle her while pressing down on her hand with his knee, push her head into a basin of water, and would shout insults at her.

But at around 3 a.m. on Sept. 11 at Mendez’s condominium unit along West Avenue, the woman said Mendez allegedly became angry with her, twisting her wrist and pushing her down the stairs.

“Because I was shouting, he covered my mouth with his hand and because his hand was big, he also covered my nose which made it difficult for me to breathe,” the woman said.

The complainant said she tried to fight back when her former partner dragged her into the house until neighbors tried to separate them.

The woman then went to the police station to file a complaint against Mendez, showing law enforcers the abrasions on her neck and bruises on her neck, wrist and forearm.