LOCAL police in Mandaue City and operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Central Visayas are now in the process of identifying two cyclists who reportedly took turns mauling a bakeshop deliveryman at the corner of A.S Fortuna and Hernan Cortes Streets in Barangay Banilad on Sunday morning, August 22, 2021.
The mauling, which was caught on video, went viral on social media.
The viral video showed one of the suspects, who reportedly identified himself as an NBI agent, and his companion taking turns punching Marvin Lobitania, 30, a resident of Barangay Bacayan in Cebu City.
After the incident, Lobitania filed a complaint before the Casuntingan Police Station.
Police Capt. Armil Caloscos, station commander of the Casuntingan Police Station, said Lobitania was onboard his bakeshop’s delivery trike with his companion when while waiting for the go signal at the intersection, he was suddenly approached by the still-unidentified cyclist and his friend.
The cyclist reportedly questioned Lobitania as to why he sideswiped his friend who was also at the scene.
Lobitania was shocked when the cyclist suddenly struck his head twice.
During their tense conversation, the cyclist allegedly told Lobitania that his friend’s bike reportedly cost millions of pesos.
Lobitania told police he tried to get away from the cyclist and his friend, but he was instead punched and threatened.
Lobitania, however, clarified that the cyclist didn’t identify himself as an NBI agent during their encounter.
Police said Lobitania sustained a head injury during his encounter with the cyclist.
Caloscos said they will file charges of physical injury and for violating the city’s executive order which prohibits leisure biking against the cyclist and his companion once they are identified.
In a separate interview, NBI 7 Director Renan Oliva said they are also conducting their own investigation over allegations that the cyclist who mauled Lobitania identified himself as one of their agents.
On Monday afternoon, August 23, NBI 7 operatives invited Lobitania to their office to shed light on the incident.
Oliva also advised Lobitania to get a medical examination as a requirement for the charges that the NBI 7 plans to file against the suspects.
Oliva said if proven that the cyclist had used his agency’s name, the latter could be sued for usurpation of authority.
Oliva also clarified that he was not familiar with the cyclist who punched Lobitania.
He advised those who encounter road incidents to report to the authorities rather than resort to violent means.
In a separate interview, Flor Gitgano, information officer of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said they also initiated gathering information and CCTV footage that could help in the investigation of the local police.
Gitgano said the Team encouraged the motorists to observe maximum tolerance and extend patience while on the road. (KFD, REV / JKV)