5, including 2 minors, nabbed for beating Army reservist during curfew in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Five persons including two minors were arrested for beating an Army reservist following an argument during the enforcement of the 8 P.M. to 5 A.M. curfew hours Sampaloc, Manila, police said Thursday.

A report from Sampaloc Police Station identified the arrested suspects as Martin Flores, 27, Robyn Flores, 22, Alfredo Gabaldon, 40, and two 15-year-old boys.

Based on an initial investigation, police said victim Pfc. Domingo Tapar, 34, a member of the 1304th Community Defense Center under the Army Reserve Command, was on patrol along Mindoro Street near Rosarito Extension when he saw the two minors and two other suspects outside their house on Wednesday at 8:35 p.m., well into the curfew hours being enforced by the Manila City government during the enhanced community quarantine.

Police said Tapar approached the suspects to remind them about the curfew hours. Martin, however, answered back, at which point, Tapar pushed him with an arnis stick.

Robyn intervened and shouted at Tapar: “Sir, bakit ka mananakit? (Sir, why are you hurting people?).” Tapar then responded: “Bakit ka nakikialam, gusto mo ikaw ang kunin ko? (Why are you interfering, do you want me to arrest you?).”

Martin, however, did not back down and even dared Tapar to enter their house. Police said Tapar then pushed the gate open with his aris stick. As he pushed the gate open, police said the arnis stick accidentally hit a member of the family, which prompted the two minors and Gabaldon to attack Tapar.

Police said the two minors reportedly cursed and threatened to kill Tapar while beating him up.

Nearby barangay officials then arrived to stop the attack and immediately arrested the suspects, who were brought to the Sampaloc Police Station for investigation.

Martin, Robyn, and Gabaldon were detained at the Sampaloc Police Station jail while the two minors were turned over to the custody of the Women and Children Protection Desk.

Complaints for direct assault, threat, and violation of Manila Ordinance 8616 or curfew hour violation, are being readied for filing against the suspects, police said.

/MUF