Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Jonas’ aide mauls neighbor
A BODYGUARD of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes allegedly mauled a woman for arguing with his wife and threatened a radio reporter who tried to help the victim.
Radio dySS reporter Norman Mendoza said Jonas Desuyo, a civilian bodyguard of Mayor Cortes, threatened to shoot him if he reports the matter to the police.
Desuyo reportedly boxed and kicked his neighbor Maribeth Taruc, 30, and when Mendoza helped her, the suspect told them “Pusilon ta mo. Gubaton ta mo (I will shoot you).”
When responding policemen arrived at the scene, Mendoza said the police failed to arrest Desuyo.
Argument
PO1 Arthur Cuyos said the incident happened at 10:10 p.m. last Aug. 16 in Sitio Tambis, Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City.
Mendoza said Taruc is renting a room at his mother’s house, while he and Desuyo are living in another house.
Mendoza said his younger sister Nancy, who is also Desuyo’s common-law wife, had an argument with Taruc.
An entry on the police blotter showed that at the height of their argument, Desuyo intervened and boxed Taruc in the left eye and repeatedly kicked her.
Mendoza hearing the commotion went to his mother’s house and helped Taruc.
Desuyo reportedly shouted at Mendoza and Taruc, “Sumbong unya sa police kay kita’y mag–kaengkwentro (If you tell the police, we’ll have to face each other).”
Families
He reportedly chambered his held .45 and 9-mm pistols.
When Mendoza went out to seek police assistance, Desuyo allegedly said, “Unsa man hinut–danay ta’g pamilya, pinatyanay ta’g pamilya (Do you want to have our families killed)?”
This caused fear and anxiety on the reporter, the blotter report read.
Moments later PO3 Melvic Gabito of Mobile Patrol Group came together with the Swat team.
Mendoza asked the police to hold Desuyo while he fetched the victim so they could file a complaint at the station.
But upon his return with Taruc, Mendoza said the police already released Desuyo.
Police reportedly told Mendoza that Desuyo will report to the mayor and will go to the station to face the complaint, but until now the reporter has not heard of the suspect.
Last Aug. 13, a councilor’s bodyguard, Florencio Pueblas, was arrested inside Mandaue City Hall while carrying a .45 pistol, with PNP markings, without showing any gun authority.
Police filed a case of illegal possession of firearms against Pueblas, who also lives in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia. (OCP)
