CALZADO (left) and Galvez with his injury. (Photos via Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Barangay Captain Gemma Calzado of Kasing-Kasing in Molo District here was arrested for physically assaulting a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad or a youth village councilor.
Calzado injured SK Kagawad Lorence Galvez with a stainless steel broom handle on Monday night, April 6.
Galvez said he was summoned to the barangay hall and was scolded by Calzado over alleged Facebook posts which the barangay captain thought was about her and her governance in the barangay.
He was shocked when the barangay captain hit him.
Galvez sustained an open wound on his left forehead and bruises on his arms.
Calzado, in radio interviews, admitted hitting the SK kagawad for alleged “bastos” or disrespectful acts, including the Facebook posts.
She dismissed claims that the physical attack was political. Calzado is a known supporter of neophyte Mayor Raisa Treñas and her father, former Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Galvez said he believes the attack by the barangay captain is political. He openly supports the programs of Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, the political enemy of the Treñases.
Baronda and Raisa Treñas condemned the violence and called for an impartial investigation.
“Indi naman tama nga mang lampus ka sang SK Kagawad nga supportive sa programa ko (It’s not right that you physically hit an SK Kagawad who is supportive of my programs),” Baronda said in a statement.
“We emphasize that we do not tolerate any form of violence,” said Raisa Treñas in a separate statement.
This was not the first time Calzado was arrested.
In November 2018, Calzado was arrested for allegedly selling shabu to undercover police officers in a buy-bust operation by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) of the Police Regional Office-6 and the Molo Police Station of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Calzado was released after posting bail on Tuesday afternoon, April 7.