Physical injuries, grave threats complaint filed vs. Pulong Duterte

A businessman has filed a complaint for physical injuries and grave threats against Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Based on the complaint, Duterte was accused of violating Article 265 and Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code.

The incident took place on February 23, Sunday at a bar in Davao City.

The filing was confirmed by Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon.

In his sworn statement, the complainant said Duterte threatened him with a knife and beat him up for around two hours.

“At hineadbutt niya ko sa ulo ng maraming beses at ako ay humihingi sa kanya ng patawad kung ano man ang nagawa kong mali sa kanya ngunit patuloy pa rin siya na hineadbutt ang aking ulo at inuundayan niya ulit ako ng kutsilyo,” the complainant said.

(And he headbutted me on the head multiple times, and I was asking him for forgiveness for whatever I might have done wrong to him, but he kept headbutting my head and then threatened me again with a knife.)

He said Duterte turned off the CCTV after noticing that there was one.

“Halos 2 hours niya akong sinaktan sa loob ng bar. Suntok, sampal, tadyak, ang aking inabot kay Paolo Duterte dahil sa galit niya sa akin,” the complainant said.

(He beat me for almost 2 hours inside the bar. Punches, slaps, kicks, that’s what I endured from Paolo Duterte because of his anger toward me.)

After this, he said Duterte handed him P1,000 for each hit.

According to the complainant, he did not seek medical attention or file a legal case due to fear. 

On Saturday Duterte posted a video on Facebook about the matter.

"Sa mga kapatid kong Davaoeño, ngayon may nakita na naman kayong video. Matagal-tagal na itong nangyari. Ah sige lang, nasa sa inyo pa rin ang desisyon kung sino ang inyong ibobotong congressman sa unang distrito. 'Di ako makikialam," Duterte said in Cebuano in a video on his Facebook account.

(To my fellow Davaoeños, you have seen another video. It's been quiet some time since this happened. Ah, it's okay, the decision is still up to you as to who you will vote for as congressman in the first district. I will not interfere.)

Duterte said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint, and his legal team is verifying a video where he was allegedly seen physically assaulting a man. —LDF/KG, GMA Integrated News