Mayoral candidate, four bodyguards in hot water for alleged involvement in mauling incident in Cagayan
ENRILE, Cagayan – Two residents here have lodged a complaint against an incumbent vice mayor and his four bodyguards for allegedly mauling them on the campaign trail in a barangay this town on Tuesday, May 3.
The victims, Sofronio Calimag, 42, and Danny Tuppal, 42, both residents of Brgy. Magalalag East in Enrile town, claimed they were mauled by mayoral candidate Vice Mayor Expedito Taguibao and his bodyguards when they met on the campaign trail in Barangay San Roque.
According to a report from the Cagayan Provincial Police, the victims, on board a barker vehicle owned by Sangguniang Bayan candidate Cosme Tuddao, were roaming around the vicinity of Poblacion, Enrile when they met the campaign team of Taguibao somewhere in Barangay San Roque.
According to the report, Taguibao, who was doing house-to-house campaigning, was allegedly irritated by the loud sound emanating from the campaign vehicle of Calimag and Tuppal.
Taguibao reportedly approached Calimag and Tuppal and uttered the following words in Itawes dialect, to quote: “Nayan manunturun kayu, ammu nu manga mar rally kami kanyaw, gange opog kayu duwa (You are annoying us, and you know that we are conducting rally here, you are both idiots).”
Taguibao then suddenly held the collar of Tuppal’s shirt and allegedly hit him several times while his bodyguards also boxed him on different parts of his body.
Calimag also averred that he was also slapped in his face and was allegedly hit several times by the bodyguards of Vice Mayor Taguibao.
The two victims proceeded to the police station in fear.
Investigator Police Senior Master Sergeant Jaime T. Lallaban said the official and his bodyguards are now liable and could be charged with slight physical injuries.
“Medyo ramdam ang tension sa lugar at may mga SAF (Special Action Force) naman na augmentation,” Lallaban told Manila Bulletin.
Meanwhile, Major Rodel C. Gervacio, chief of police of the Enrile Police Station, said the police have intensified the security measures, especially in places of campaign rallies, with only four days until election day.