Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday called on a barangay chairman in Manila and his personnel who were allegedly involved in mauling a 16-year-old teenager to surrender to authorities.
Año said that the chairman of Barangay 350 in Manila, Felipe Falcon Jr., should be “man enough to face the consequences of his actions.”
“Being a public servant, maging accountable ka at maging responsible sa ginagawa mo. Pakita mo na ikaw ay isang tunay na public servant. Bibigyan ka naman namin ng due process,” he said in a statement.
Año said Falcon allegedly hit a 16-year-old boy on Nov. 3 because the boy did not recognize him and called him “kagawad.”
The victim sustained head wounds and had to go to the hospital for the treatment of his injuries.
Año said Falcon and five other suspects could be suspended if the victim files a case at the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman may impose preventive suspension against them while the investigation is ongoing.
“Hindi natin papayagan ang mga pang-aabuso, lalong-lalo na ng elected officials, Kailangan dito ay ipinakikita natin ang pagiging tunay na public servant at walang abusong ginagawa,” Año said.
Año said the agency would also file administrative charges against the barangay chairman and his council members who were allegedly involved the incident.
“Sa parte naman ng DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), magfa-file kami ng administrative case. Magco-conduct kami ng investigation,” he said./ac