Australian goes wild in Lapu mall

A 62-YEAR-OLD Australian national allegedly went berserk inside a mall and tried to grab the firearm of a policeman in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Grahame Whitelg was detained because of the incident. He is facing charges of disobedience to person in authority and drunkenness, a violation of a city ordinance.

Police said Whitelg was with his Filipina girlfriend having a drink in a bar inside the Marina Mall on Friday night.

Around 7 p.m., the woman asked Whitelg to stop drinking as they still had a flight to catch for Manila.

The couple argued when the Australian ignored the woman and continued drinking.

At the height of the argument, the Australian allegedly slapped the woman in the face, police said.

The woman called the police.

Operatives of the Lapu-Lapu tourist police arrived and advised the Australian to go with them to the police precinct to settle the matter.

But instead of calming down, the Australian allegedly confronted the policemen.

The man allegedly tried to grab the firearm of PO1 Junrey Terana.

Terana and his fellow policemen overpowered the Australian and brought him to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Police said charges will be filed on Monday against the Australian./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA