An official of the Cebu City government was critically wounded after he was struck in the head with a steel bar by a casual employee whose contract was not renewed.
Emiliano Cruz, head of the City’s Building Maintenance Service (BMS), was attacked by Wilson Kilat Sr. last Monday afternoon outside the BMS office.
Kilat had been visiting the BMS office to appeal the termination of his work contract as a plumber for the month of September.
“Wala napud gi-renew akong contract, aw puslan wala na koy trabaho, amungay na lang (My contract was renewed. I don’t have a job anymore, might as well we go down together),” Kilat said.
Kilat alleged that he lost his cool after Cruz shouted at him.
Police said Kilat was reeking with alcohol when he was arrested by PO1 Christopher Mariot who happened to be in the area when the incident happened at 5:45 p.m.
Bar brawl
A former colleague at BMS said Kilat was arrested in the past after he was involved in a bar brawl.
Kilat blamed Cruz for the non-renewal of his contract.
But according to Dominic Diño, head of the Human Resource Development Office, renewing of contracts is decided by the department heads. The BMS is under the General Services Office which is headed by Rolando Ardosa.
Kilat said he has been working in the BMS since 1989. He has six children.
“Patay ang akong pamilya kung wa na koy trabaho (My family won’t survive if I don’t have a job),” he said. He added that he is ready to face charges should Cruz pursue a case against him.
Mayor visits
Cruz is recuperating at Chong Hua Hospital where he was visited by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama a few hours after the incident.
“He was already conscious and we talked,” the mayor said. Rama added that if City Hall employees have problems with their superiors, they should directly raise it to the HRDO for proper action. /CORRESPONDENTS SANTINO S. BUNACHITA AND CHITO O ARAGON