Belgian detained in Dipolog for hitting hotel guest

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A Belgian guest was temporarily detained by the police in a precinct in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte Thursday night after he was charged for hitting another hotel guest.

Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), identified the suspect as  Dany Eric Roelandt , 51 years old, a Belgian National with postal address of Bruge, Belgium, who was staying at a local hotel in Dipolog City.

Police investigation disclosed that local hotel guests, Wilson Flores Jr., and his brother Daryul Dave, both residents of Alabang, Muntinlupa, were at the poolside of Hotel Camila with their relatives when suspect Roelandt came into the pool and went on to occupy their table.

The Belgian national later swored at the Floreses,  prompting Wilson to confront him despite the intervention of Gloria Trazona – fiancée of the suspect – to calm him down.

Police said the suspect who was apparently drunk slapped and and hit Flores on the chest and shoved the Filipino guest.

Police brought Roelabndt to Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in  Sicayab, Dipolog City for medical and liquor breath examination conducted by Dr. Cherry Conception P. Mata and found the suspect was intoxicated.

Police authorities arrested Roelandt who was charged with physical injury raps.

The police said the suspect was also accused of choking the hotel security guard and damaging the door lock of the hotel near the poolside. - Roel Pareño