Police on mauling of Jinggoy's son, nephew: Nagkasalubong, nagkatinginan

Malay Police investigating the mauling of the son and nephew of Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada allegedly by three suspects in Boracay said they eyed each other at a bar prior to the incident.

"Based on the CCTV footages na na-gather natin, nagkaroon lang sila, nagkasalubong once, nagkasalubong, tinginan po," Police Lieutenant Colonel Mar Joseph Ravelo, chief of Malay Police, told reporters on Sunday.

(Based on CCTV footage we gathered, they met at a bar and eyed each other.)

"Doon pa sila medyo nagkasalubungan sa ... bar po sa loob then lumabas ang mga victim, sinundan ng mga suspek," he added, according to a report by Mav Gonzales on Unang Balita on Monday.

(They meet inside a bar. Then the victims left, and the suspects followed.)

The victims were only 50 meters away from the bar they just left when the suspects attacked, police said.

"According to the witnesses, talagang from the... naglalakad po ang ating mga victims, sinundan ng mga suspek. Then inakbayan sa likod then du'n na nagsimula na sinapak, du'n na po 'yung mga maulings," Ravelo said.

(According to the witnesses, the victims were walking while the suspects followed. Then the suspect put an arm around a victim and started mauling them.)

Estrada's son Julian Ejercito sustained a blow to the head and had a toenail chipped off after he was repeatedly kicked after going down.

The senator's nephew Jefferelly Vitug on the other hand sustained an injury to the nose.

The victims were brought to a hospital for treatment.

"According po sa victim mismo, sabi niya po na kung hindi dumating agad ang pulis, baka mas lumala pa 'yung pambubugbog dahil 'yung witnesses po na nag-appear po dito, sila po 'yung sumigaw ng, 'Pulis, pulis.' And immediately nga po, nagresponde ang pulis," Ravelo added.

(According to the victim, he said if the police did not arrive immediately, the beatings may have become worse. The witnesses who appeared here were the ones who shouted 'Police, police.' And immediately, police responded.)

The three suspects who were teenagers reportedly tried to escape afterward. However they were apprehended and have been placed under police custody.

The suspects have not yet issued any statement to media about the matter.

According to Estrada, one of the assailants allegedly told his nephew, "Masyado kang maangas (you are too arrogant)."

Estrada said he flew to Boracay on Saturday and they had filed charges against the suspects. His son and nephew were vacationing in Boracay at the time of the incident.

"Bilang ama at tiyuhin, hindi maiiwasan na labis akong mag-alala nang makarating sa akin ang masamang balita. Kaya’t dali-dali akong pumunta para alamin ang nangyari at kalagayan nila," the senator said in a statement.

(As a father and uncle, it cannot be avoided that I worried much when I heard the bad news. So I immediately flew [to Boracay] to find out what happened and how they are faring.)

"No parent or relative ever wants to hear that their loved ones have been victims of such a senseless act in a place that should be a friendly community and a source of relaxation," he added.

"While charges have already been filed against the suspects, I trust that the proper authorities will investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that justice is served," Estrada said.

"My family and I are grateful that our loved ones are safe now, but we hope incidents like this serve as a reminder of the need to create a safer environment for everyone," he said. —KG, GMA Integrated News