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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Davao guv challenges prosecutor to a fistfight
By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO CITY -- Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Ra Cagas reportedly tried to pick a fight with a prosecutor just before the start of a forum-workshop on political violence at Camp Panacan Saturday.
The incident happened in front of police officers, prosecutors and community leaders who were also participants of the Department of Justice-sponsored activity.
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According to witnesses, Cagas was already seated when Davao del Sur Prosecutor Artemio Tajon arrived. Cagas, who heads the region's peace and order council, allegedly collared Tajon and challenged him to a fistfight.
"Among nadunggan kay nagyawyaw man si gub (Cagas) unya kusog ug tingog nga wala daw respeto tong fiscal sa iya. Maayo gani naay mga tao duol sa ila nga mao'y nibulag sa duha (We heard Gov. Cagas talking in loud voice about the prosecutor's lack of respect on him. Good thing they were near a group of people who pacified the two)," said a police officer, who refused to be named.
Fortunately, Tajon was calm enough not to take Cagas challenge and went on to his seat instead. Tajon, however, stayed for the forum.
It was unclear what prompted Cagas to do the act. Reporters failed to interview the governor as he immediately left after the first two lectures.
It was Tajon who, in March 2007, approved the filing of a criminal case against the son of Cagas for badmouthing a congressman and his father-in-law based on the recommendation of Prosecutor Teresita T. Manabeng-Recto.
Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV, the governor's only son and now the representative of Davao's First District, was earlier charged with grave oral defamation before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Hagonoy-Matanao, Davao del Sur.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Eugenio "Enying" Derequito, father-in-law of former Davao del Sur congressman Claude Bautista.
Derequito is the biggest stockholder of the Rural Bank of Digos, which has a net worth of P380 million. He also owns Davao del Sur's biggest fishponds, aside from being part owner of the La Suerte Gallera cockpit in Matina, Davao City.
Records of the case showed that Derequito filed the complaint after learning of the verbal attack of Marc Douglas against the Rural Bank of Digos in a speech before women in Barangay Savoy, Hagonoy town on January 12, 2007.
Marc Douglas claimed the "Kaulos" (Tagacaulos), indigenous people of Malita, have been victimized and that almost all the lands in Malita have been allegedly taken by the Bautistas through the rural bank by way of loans.
He also alleged that borrowers who fail to pay the loans are harassed by the goons of Derequito "that is why you will be forced to have your land foreclosed by the Rural Bank of Digos, the same with those lands of the Kaulos in Malita."
The provincial prosecutor recommended a bail bond of P6,000 for the temporary liberty of the Marc Douglas.
Earlier, Derequito, basing his complaint on the same incident, also filed a libel case against Marc Douglas and demanded for damages worth P30 million. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (November 11, 2008 issue)
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