Mayor to face raps for hitting old man

STO. TOMAS - A senior citizen here is contemplating on filing formal charges against Mayor Lito Naguit for an alleged mauling incident that happened last week.

Chief Inspector Josemarie Basa, Sto. Tomas police chief, identified the victim as Zolio T. Briones, 83, of Barangay Sto. Niño Sapa.

The police records showed that Naguit allegedly hit Briones in different parts of his body while two of the mayor’s companion allegedly held his hands.

The incident stemmed from a confrontation between Briones and a member of the mayor’s staff, asking the latter to remove a pile of sand blocking the front of the former’s driveway.

“Nakiusap ako sa nagtatrabaho na alisin ang buhangin na nakatambak sa harap ng driveway ko. Hindi kasi makalabas ang sasakyan ko,” Briones said.

However, Briones claimed that the mayor’s staff ignored his appeal.

“Sinubukan kong humingi ng tulong sa barangay pero wala akong inabutan na opisyal,” Briones said.

Briones told police the mayor’s staff left and returned with Mayor Naguit and two of his bodyguards.

“Pagbalik niya, dumating na si Mayor. Pagbaba niya sa sasakyan, agad na hinawakan ng dalawang bodyguard ang magkabilang kamay ko habang pinagsususuntok ako ni Mayor Naguit sa tiyan,” Briones said.

“Wala akong nagawa sa kanila. Hindi ko maabot maisip na magagawa niya sa akin iyon sa edad kong ito,” he said.

Based on a medical certificate dated September 19, 2012 signed by Dr. Hena Aldaba, resident physician of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Briones suffered contusions in his abdominal area.

Briones also said it was not the first time that he was hit by the mayor.

“Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na pinagbuhatan ako ng kamay ni Mayor Naguit,” he said.

Briones recounted that in 1996, he was allegedly harassed by Naguit, saying that he was a critic of the latter. Briones was a former village chief of Sto. Niño from 1982 to 1986.

Naguit, however, categorically denied the accusations made against him by Briones. “It’s purely politics,” he added.

Mayor Naguit said there is an ongoing road upgrading project in the said village and they are supposed to clear the area of spoil materials.

“Hence, I am appealing for the patience of the villagers due to this temporary inconvenience,” the mayor added.

Meanwhile, the mayor is also contemplating on filing oral defamation charges against Briones for uttering unsavory words against him.