Batangas mayor, dad face raps for attacking cops

BATANGAS, Philippines – A mayor of a town in Batangas and his father are facing multiple charges after they and members of their alleged private army reportedly assaulted two police officers and six members of the province’s environment monitoring group.

The cases were filed on Monday against Taysan Mayor Victor Portugal Jr. and his father, ex-mayor Victor Portugal Sr., as well as 20 others, according to Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director.

The Portugals and their alleged militiamen were charged with robbery in band, qualified direct assault, grave threats and illegal detention, Fidel said.

The charges were filed separately by Police Officers 1 Warren Argana and Jerico de Ocampo before the provincial prosecutor’s office.

The police officers and the members of the Task Force Likas Yaman, an environment and natural resources monitoring group of the provincial government, were conducting an operation against illegal mining and quarrying in Barangay Sto. Niño on Sept. 20 when they apprehended five dump trucks loaded with quarry materials owned by Maptan Corp., Fidel said.

The task force said Maptan Corp., apparently owned by the Portugals, had no permit to transport the quarry materials.

Fidel said the Portugals’ men reportedly flagged down the policemen and the environment personnel in Barangay Gulod Ibaba.

Investigators said the mayor reportedly hit task force member Juvy Fabicon’s head and kicked the victim in the stomach while the elder Portugal allegedly hit Roberto Miagao on the left shoulder.

The Portugals reportedly released the police officers and the task force members with their firearms after Taysan police chief Senior Inspector Simeon Aldovino intervened.

The STAR tried to get the side of the Portugals but they could not be reached.