Two foreigners hurt after plaints over loud music

CEBU, Philippines — Two foreign nationals were injured in separate attacks in Cebu City and Toledo City after asking suspects to turn down loud music. Two men were later arrested and are now facing criminal complaints.

The incidents happened several hours apart. The first happened on Wednesday, July 8, and the second on Thursday, July 9, based on separate police investigations.

In Cebu City, a 38-year-old Papua New Guinean national was arrested after he allegedly struck a 32-year-old Ghanaian man with a beer bottle outside a convenience store along M. Velez Street in Barangay Capitol Site around 2:30 A.M. last Thursday.

Investigation showed that the victim, who was temporarily staying in the second floor of the convenience store, had just gone downstairs to eat after waking up when he saw the suspect and two companions drinking while playing loud music through a portable speaker.

The victim asked the group to lower the volume because it was already late at night.

The group initially complied but later turned the music up again, prompting the victim to approach them a second time.

While one of the suspect’s companions was apologizing, the suspect himself allegedly struck the victim on the forehead with a beer bottle, causing injuries.

The victim backed away as the suspect tried to flee. Other customers chased and restrained the suspect until policemen arrived. The suspect also sustained injuries during the commotion.

The suspect was arrested through a citizen’s arrest and underwent inquest proceedings for a complaint of slight physical injuries.

Police Major Aris Tormo, officer-in-charge of the Abellana Police Station, said the suspect remains under police custody.

In a separate incident in Toledo City, a 59-year-old Greek national was injured after he was allegedly attacked by his 69-year-old brother-in-law following an argument over loud music.

The incident happened at around 6 P.M. on Wednesday, July 8, in Barangay Sagay.

Investigation showed that the victim and his wife had just arrived home from Cebu City and were resting when loud music from the suspect’s house woke him up.

The victim went to the suspect’s house and politely asked him to lower the volume. Instead, the suspect, who is the brother of the victim’s wife, allegedly attacked him with a bolo.

The victim sustained hack wounds on his left eye and upper left lip.

The victim was rushed to Toledo City Hospital for treatment.

A follow-up investigation and hot pursuit operation led to the suspect’s arrest at around 8 P.M. on the same day after a witness positively identified him. Police also learned that the victim and suspect had argued over the same issue in the past.

Authorities also recovered a 19-inch bolo believed to have been used in the attack.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Verniño Noserale, chief of the Toledo City Police Station, said the suspect remained under police custody while police were preparing to file a complaint for frustrated homicide before the Office of the Prosecutor.