Two Minglanilla workers charged for ‘hitting’ vendor

CEBU, Philippines – Two employees, including an administrative aide III of Mayor Elanito Peña, of Minglanilla town are facing charges before the court for allegedly hurting a vendor over a mere remark.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has found probable cause to charge Arlee Selma with slight physical injuries and Roel Tecson, a job order employee, with maltreatment.

"The act complained of against Selma appears to constitute the crime of slight physical injuries...as the injuries sustained by complainant, consisting of swelling on her right arm, neither prevented her from engaging in her habitual work nor required medical assistance," read the resolution penned by graft investigation and prosecution officer III Eleanor Tayad-de Mira.

"The act complained of against Tecson in boxing complainant at her back but without causing any injury appears to constitute the crime of maltreatment," the resolution further read.

The FREEMAN tried to get their statements, but to no avail.

Luzminda Uba, a vegetable vendor at the New Minglanilla Public Market, said she made a remark after reading a news article about the dismissal of eight Minglanilla officials over graft charges on September 8, 2017.

"Nangapotbol diay ang mga opisyal sa atong munisipyo,” she remarked.

According to Uba, Bella Auman, a municipal employee, allegedly got angry at her after hearing her remark.

Auman reported the incident to Selma, cousin of Vice Mayor Robert John Selma.

Uba said Selma called her to report to his office on September 10.

During their conversation, Selma allegedly slapped Uba’s right arm.  Uba said Selma and Tecson allegedly pointed their fingers at her face.

Uba said she immediately went out of Selma’s office, but Tecson reportedly went after her and boxed her out.

Moreover, the complaint against Auman was dismissed as Uba failed to establish the former's participation in the complained act. —/KBQ (FREEMAN)