Councilor who 'punched' cage fan facing raps

CEBU, Philippines -  A councilor in Compostela town is facing charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office for allegedly punching a basketball game spectator.

In his complaint, Jose Manger Serenobis of Sitio Tagasa, Basak, Compostela alleged that after having an exchange of verbal altercation with the referees following his complaint on an "unfair decision," he was suddenly attacked by Felijur Quiño.

"As Councilor Quiño observed the commotion, he hurriedly walked to the center of the court from the other side of basketball goal pointing his finger and saying some intimidating words to me and then suddenly attacked me while standing at the sideline near the other basketball goal area," the complaint read.

The incident happened on the evening of Nov. 17, 2013. Serenobis alleged he was punched and was hit in his head above his left ear.

Serenobis and respondent were part of many people watching the basketball game between Barangay Mulao and Sitio Danikop.

While the game was ongoing, Serenobis said one of the Team Mulao players complained to the referee why he was charged for a foul when in fact he suffered a cut on his face as he was elbowed by an opponent. Because of that, the Mulao player was "slapped" with a technical foul.

Due to the alleged unfair decision of the referee, Serenobis told the referee of the unfair decision, citing there must be a warning before charging a player with a technical foul.

He added that a certain Jerson Cabanes, a referee, approached him "angrily" and so did other referee, Jose Bugtai Jr., and exchanged verbal arguments with him causing a "slight commotion."

Serenobis said after he was allegedly attacked by the respondent, he decided to go home when the latter's men ordered him to leave.

The complaint was originally filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas. However, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol forwarded the same to Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba for appropriate action for having jurisdiction over the complaint.

Meanwhile, Quiño is set to answer the allegation filed against him before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.  (FREEMAN)