Three personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were arrested and detained after they figured in a brawl at videoke bar in Pier 1, Cebu City.
Aside from an administrative case, SN2 Arnold Dicdican, 30, assigned in a search-and-rescue vessel; ASN Harvey Enopia, 30; and ASN Napoleon Tubig, 29, both members of the Coast Guard station in Dumaguete City, may also face a criminal charge.
The three were accused of mauling Ramon Pamonag, 27, and Jaybee Jumao-as, 17, who were brought to the Cebu City Medical Center after they sustained wounds and bruises.
Pamonag and Jumao-as’ companion Bryan Rabaya, 19, were also jailed for drunkenness and for hitting the PCG personnel with a chair.
The three PCG personnel, all natives of Zamboanga City, were in Cebu City for a scheduled deliberation for their promotions.
SPO4 Ernesto Caballero, desk officer of the Waterfront police, said the three men could be charged with physical injuries and a violation of a Cebu City ordinance 1929 or drunkenness.
Police said the PCG personnel were drinking in a videoke house on Legazpi Extension, some 70 meters from the police precinct, at 3 a.m. on Friday when they got into a trouble with another group.
In an interview, Pamonag said they were in a separate table when one of the Coast Guard personnel, who introduced himself as a military man, approached them and asked why he was looking at them.
Pamonag said the three Coast Guard men suddenly mauled him. Jumao-as tried to help Pamonag but was also mauled.
Pamonag sustained a cut on the head, which needed 12 stitches to close, and had burn injuries after he fell on a barbecue stand during the commotion.
Responding policemen fired a warning shot to stop the fight.
The three PCG personnel claimed it was the other group who started the fight after Rabaya hit them with a chair.
Rolando Punzalan, Coast Guard Cebu Station commander, said even if the criminal case will be settled, the three will still be facing an administrative investigation. “This will not be taken lightly,” Punzalan said.