Village chief, 7 others beat up guards

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay chairman is in hot water after allegedly beating up, threatening and confiscating the guns of two security guards at a construction site in Tondo, Manila on Saturday.

Guards Jomar Lanoja and Gryan Ampasin of Blue Shield Security Agency claimed that Barangay 259, Zone 23 chairman Darwin Ibay, together with seven armed men, forcibly entered the construction site to look for two workers who had been rude to the chairman’s wife.

When he could not find them, Ibay and his companions reportedly began attacking the guards and two laborers.

The guards also claimed that Ibay disarmed them, pointed a gun at their heads and fired three shots before he beat them up.

Both Lanoja and Ampasin filed their complaint at the General Assignment and Investigation Section of the Manila Police District after the police community precincts referred them to the MPD headquarters.

Senior Police Officer 2 James Poso said charges of grave threats, physical injuries and robbery would be filed against Ibay and his men.