2 Butuan journalists beaten up, another allegedly kidnapped

BUTUAN CITY , Philippines  – Two journalists covering the elections were allegedly beaten up by a group identified with a powerful Camiguin politician while another one was allegedly kidnapped yesterday morning in Catarman town in the island province of Camiguin in Northern Mindanao region.

Reports from the Catarman Municipal Police Office identified the journalists as father and son Hugo and Gilbert Dumaguing of the local television Channel 13 based in Cagayan de Oro City. The one who was allegedly abducted was identified as Rolando Bruno of the Assalam Media also based in Cagayan de Oro.

Camiguin Provincial Come-lec Supervisor lawyer Stalin Baguio confirmed there were man-handling incidents but denied it was re-electionist Camiguin Gov. JJ Romualdo who personally beat up the father and son journalists.

Baguio said he will conduct thorough investigation of the two incidents, kidnapping and beaten up.

The camp of Romualdo had denied the allegations.

Catarman police said in a long distance call that the incident allegedly started from heated arguments after said journalists allegedly took television footage of the actual vote buying incident when it accidentally noticed said election violation.

The journalists complained to the police that the suspects used the butt of the .45 caliber pistol hand gun in hurting them.

After the incident, the armed men allegedly brought along with them Rolando Bruno of the Assalam Media.