Ombud to sue 6 for mauling lensman
The six men who allegedly mauled Sun-Star Cebu chief photographer Alex Badayos in July 2007 will face trial in court.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas indicted Demosthenes Bacasmas, Ramil Pelayo, Bobot Son, Harry Ybañez, Jikjik Monterola and Marwen Camay on charges of less serious physical injuries.
Graft investigation and prosecution officer Amy Rose Rellin found sufficient evidence against the respondents—employees of the Bogo Traffic Management Office under the office of Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr.
In their counter-affidavit, the respondents denied the allegations saying they were not in the area when the incident happened.
But the anti-graft office gave credence to the positive identification made by Badayos over the denial of the respondents.
Badayos said the respondents mauled him during the retrieval of ballot boxes at the Bogo City Hall on July 9, 2007.
Badayos along with Cebu Daily News photo editor Tonee Despojo were following a man who snatched a ballot box containing election returns from Cebu City south district election officer Marchel Sarno.
Supporters of Martinez blocked Badayos and Despojo at the landing of a stairway and prevented them from going in.
Despojo was thrown against the wall when someone grabbed his backpack.
Badayos was beaten up while an angry mob grabbed his computer bag and camera. He identified himself as a Sun-Star employee but the crowd assaulted him.
Badayos said Bacasmas’ fist landed on his head before the other respondents and supporters of Martinez beat, kicked and punched him. A policeman helped Badayos escape. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol
