CEBU CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) has filed charges against several individuals who allegedly mauled a British chef inside a bar here on Christmas Eve last year.
Among those charged were the owner of F Bar in Barangay Kasambagan identified as Fairuz Abdullah Lee, also known as ‘’Francis Lee,’’ and Butch Prieto Soreño, Administrative Officer I of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Iligan.
The charges stemmed from the child abuse and physical injuries complaint filed by Michelin-rated chef Jason Atherton before the NBI-7 on Dec. 28.
In his complaint, Atherton narrated that his minor daughter was queuing at the lavatory of F Bar when she was approached by Soreño and asked her to have sex with him inside the toilet.
The daughter was shocked by his actuations and tearfully returned to the table where he and Jason were dining, the NBI-7 said.
When Atherton learned what happened, he looked for Soreño and confronted him. At the height of the confrontation, Atherton was mauled by Soreño and his group of friends, the NBI-7 said.
After the scuffle, Jason and family proceeded to the parking lot where a disc jockey shouted at him, threatening to kill him, the NBI-7 added.
Because of the incident, the NBI-7 sued Soreño for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and Article 265 (less serious physical injury) of the Revised Penal Code.
Also facing the same charges were Iñaki Ramon Hernedo Ibarlucea, Jericho Leonardi Porras Bolongan, Richard Doncillo Cervantes, and Douglas Cervantes. Neil Versoza Pepito, the DJ who shouted “I will kill you” at Atheron, was also charged.
The NBI-7 also filed a separate complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Soreño for “misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best of the service.”
The owner of the bar was charged for violating the Labor Code of the Philippines and Anti-Dummy Law after it was found out that he is a Singaporean and only has a tourist visa.
“He is therefore prohibited to do business in the Philippines especially for a type of business reserved for Filipino citizens such as restaurant/bar and/or salons,” the NBI-7 said.
The NBI-7 found out that Lee also owns a salon.
The NBI-7 also filed charges against seven corporate officers of the bar for violation of the Anti-Dummy Law. They are Aileen Donal-Tran, Christin Lee, Crispina Rensal, Rayjob Serencio, Ludivina Silaya, Soraida Canasa, and Antigone Yburan.