Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Former pro cager detained for mauling driver, lady journalist
AN ERSTWHILE professional basketball player was arrested Tuesday dawn after he allegedly mauled a taxi driver whom he had earlier accused of trying to jack up his fare by going through circuitous routes.
Additional charges will be filed against the former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Paul "Bong" Alvarez after he attacked Gretchen Malalad, a lady reporter of ABS-CBN Channel 2, who was interviewing the complainant inside the Mandaluyong City police headquarters.
Malalad was interviewing taxi driver William Cabanlit whom Alvarez reportedly mauled when Alvarez suddenly attacked her. Malalad, who is a karate expert, was able to parry Alvarez's blows and was able to hit Alvarez in the face before the police could separate them but she suffered scratches on her neck.
A policeman present during the incident said Alvarez hit Malalad's face with his elbow.
Reports said Alvarez also threatened to beat a cameraman of the television station who was able to capture the incident on video.
"He is so rude. We respected his decision not to be interviewed but when we were about to interview the complainant he was trying to stop us and when he went out of the room he elbowed me on the face," Malalad said. A contestant in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 2002, Malalad represented the country in numerous international karate competitions, including the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games where she won a gold medal.
Alvarez was locked up in the police station's comfort room to avoid the hordes of reporters who gathered at the scene.
Malalad said she will file charges of physical injury against Alvarez while Cabanlit is also set to file similar charges before the prosecutor's office.
Alvarez was apprehended by the police after beating Cabanlit whom he had earlier hailed at the Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City to take him to Pasig City.
Cabanlit said Alvarez changed his mind and instead asked that he be brought to Quiapo via Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
He added that he decided to take Boni Avenue to avoid traffic but failed to inform Alvarez who had dozed off. When he woke up, Alvarez reprimanded the driver for not following his instructions triggering a heated argument.
Cabanlit said he told Alvarez not to worry as he was going to deduct the additional fare but Alvarez started beating him and hit his face with a beer bottle.
He goes out of the cab and ran for help while patrolling village watchmen pacified Alvarez and brought him to the police station.
Alvarez is still detained at the Mandaluyong City police station.
Early this year, Alvarez figured in a brawl with model Borgy Manotoc at the Embassy Bar at the Fort in Taguig City after Manotoc's girlfriend, Ornusa Cadness, complained that Alvarez mistook her for a waitress. Alvarez later apologized for the incident.
Alvarez gained fame in the late 80s and early 90s when he played for San Miguel, Ginebra Alaska at the PBA. He is married to actress Almira Muhlach. (AH/Sunnex)
