Transport group head runs amuck in Pasay mayor's office; 2 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - The president of a local transport group went amuck in the office of Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto’s office during a meeting with government officials at noon yesterday.

Calixto’s chief of staff, Albert Parades, told The STAR he was trying to settle a dispute between Jojo Pinlac, president of the Pasay Pedicab Driver’s Association, and officials of the city Tricycle Pedicab Franchising Regulatory Office (TPFRO), when Pinlac suddenly became violent.

Parades said Pinlac, who is also a casual city hall employee, hit him with a blunt object and threw a metal paperweight at TPFRO employee Ace Sevilla. Security guards bodily carried Pinlac away from the mayor’s office. He disappeared after the incident.

Parades said they will file charges against Pinlac, who has been banned from the city hall.