Councilman accused of beating 3 tanods

A BARANGAY councilman and three other men were accused of mauling three civilian anti-crime volunteers in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City.

Ricardo Senining, 42, Lydio Bornales, 54, and Gerardo Alilin, members of the Barangay Public Safety Officers, reported the alleged mauling to the Opao police station on Wednesday afternoon.

The three, who had bruises in their faces when they went to the police station, identified their attackers as Zaldy Lumapas, Junrey Perez, Randy Alilin and Rey Lumapas, all residents of barangay Umapad, Mandaue.

Lumapas is a former barangay captain of Umapad where he is now a councilor.

Police said Lenesia Mapula, 43, president of the La Purisima Urban Poor Association complained to the barangay regarding a fence built by Zaldy.

Mapula complained that the fence blocked the gate of the association and deprived them of a road right of way.

Senining, Bornales and Alilin went to the area to diffuse tension.

The anti-crime volunteers alleged that they were standing in the area when Zaldy and his companines arrived and suddenly attacked.

The complainants said the councilor and his companions had left when police arrived.

Police advised the complainants to secure medical certificates for the possible filing of charges against Zaldy and his companions.

“He shouldn’t have fenced the area since he was not authorize to do so. He does not own the lot,” Umapad barangay captain Nelson Rubio said.

Rubio said the lot is owned by Benito-Antigua Poultry Corp. which presented documents it owns the lot.

Rubio said Zaldy claimed he also has documents to prove he owns the lot./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA