Thursday, August 28, 2008 PASG men snub police probe on mauling
THE security escorts of Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) Chief Antonio Villar, who allegedly mauled a Chinese businessman in a posh hotel in Makati City, were a no-show at Makati Police Station.
Only Virgilio Bruno, the lawyer for Villar's security detail, presented himself before Makati Police Chief Gilbert Cruz and told him that the PASG chief's bodyguards will only heed police summons once a formal complaint against them is filed by the victim, Simon Lee-Paz.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Paz remained confined at the Makati Medical Center (MCC) since last week's incident.
"Attorney Bruno told me that the PASG chief is encouraging Paz to file a case against his security personnel. They are willing to cooperate with the investigation provided the victim files a complaint against them first," Cruz said.
But he admitted that Paz and his family have not yet coordinated with the police in filing a formal complaint.
The police official quoted Paz's doctors that he is still at the MCC intensive care unit.
The 44-year-old businessman was reported suffering from temporary amnesia following the incident, but Cruz failed to confirm it, saying the victim's physicians did not mention such condition.
The absence of Villar's bodyguards forced the two witnesses to use a video footage in identifying the perpetrators of the alleged mauling incident. They were presented a short video taken by a closed circuit television (CCTV) installed at the lobby of the Dusit Thani Hotel before midnight of August 19 when the alleged mauling incident took place.
One of the witnesses, who asked to be identified only as "Darwin" for anonymity, identified one of Villar's bodyguards as among those who beat Paz.
"I was stationed outside the hotel so I cannot entirely remember those who are involved. All I can remember is that I saw Villar with at least 10 bodyguards. At the CCTV footage, I can only identify one, who I am sure is among the perpetrators," Darwin said.
When asked if Villar's bodyguards were armed, Darwin said he saw no firearms during the incident and belied allegations that the PASG bodyguards used firearms in mauling Paz.
The security guard also claimed he is not sure if he can positively identify the other perpetrators even if they are personally presented to him.
"The incident happened so swiftly. I can hardly remember every detail because it happened so fast and I was originally stationed outside the hotel," he added.
Meanwhile, Cruz disclosed that he will personally coordinate with the Police Security and Protection Office based in Camp Crame to get the identities of Villar's escorts.
"We will ask for their identities and photos so that the family of the victim can use the information to pursue the case," Cruz said.
In a related development, Villar sacked one of his close-in aides after figuring in an altercation in Tomas Morato, Quezon City Tuesday night, days after his bodyguards got involved in a row in Makati City.
"I have to fire him to avoid wrong perception that I am condoning my men," Villar said, as he fired Marino Piramo after his disagreement with a park attendant and three others in front of Bamboo Grill.
Piramo, who was reportedly cleared by the police of any wrongdoing, was reportedly about to park his van in front of the restaurant where he was planning to buy food, when the parking attendant signaled him to find another parking area and give way to an approaching CRV Honda which carried three men.
He then questioned the parking attendant, adding that it was "uncharacteristic" to give preferential treatment to the CRV Honda when he was the first one to arrive and occupy the lone parking space
The parking attendant reportedly "shot back in a very rude manner" which drew the attention of some bystanders including some police officers who later learned of Piramo's identity and job.
"Even though Piramo had simply exercised his right, I fired him to show to the public that I am not condoning my men. I made it clear to my men right from the start that I will never, never condone any wrongdoing on their part. I leave it to the investigators to determine if my men are liable for some criminal charges," he added.
He said he had rarely commented on the Dusit incident to avoid misconception that he is protecting them, assuring that he will not intervene in the ongoing investigation against them and that his men will be available to face them. (AH/JMR/Sunnex)
