CEBU, Philippines - A private escort of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was arrested by a policeman of the Provincial Intelligence Branch for hitting him in the forehead yesterday morning in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.
PO3 Roderick Balili said Noel Monterola Labiaga, of Hermag Village, Barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City, suddenly hit him in the forehead along the national highway around 8:45 a.m.
Balili was on driving a Kia van with license plate numbers SGW-419 while Labiaga, who is under the GGC Security Agency, was on board his Racal motorcycle the time.
Balili was taking Senior Insp. Leo Logroño, deputy chief of the PIB, to the Police Regional Office-7 from Sitio Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, to attend the Metro Cebu Intelligence Conference.
The policemen said they were tailing a passenger jeepney when its driver signaled them to move ahead. This prompted Balili to swerve right as he did not see any other vehicle coming.
But Labiaga moved closer to the vehicle as if trying to slow down Balili.
“Abi nako ug nakaila nako kay nagdikit-dikit man pero wa maklaro ang nawng kay nag-helmet man,†Balili said.
Balili stopped along the road and lowered the windshield to check, but Labiaga reportedly hit Balili once in the forehead.
“Okay ra nako mo-explain siya unya kay nikalit man og hapak sa akong agtang,†Balili said.
Balili then explained that he is a policeman and arrested Labiaga. Labiaga resisted and allegedly namedropped prominent public officials but this did not stop Balili from taking him in.
Labiaga, however, refused to comment.
Charges for slander by deed and resisting arrest against a person in authority are being prepared against Labiaga who is now temporarily detained at the Consolacion Police Station stockade. –(FREEMAN)