The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the police in Molo, Iloilo are investigating an incident involving a barangay captain allegedly hitting a Sangguniang Kabataan councilor with a broom.

The councilor, Lorence Galvez, was hit in the forehead near the left eye.

Galvez went to the barangay hall evening on April 6, 2026 for an important matter the SK chairman wanted to discuss.

Upon arriving at the barangay hall, Galvez was reportedly greeted by a slew of accusations from the barangay captain that stemmed from posts on social media.

“Ini-insist niya na ako talaga. Ako nag-i-insist rin na wala akong pinatatamaan,” Galvez said.

Another SK councilor, Jean Alba, witnessed the incident and sought help from Galvez’ elder sibling.

“Yun na lahat, nakita ko na lang na may dugo na si kagawad Lorence. Lumabas ako at tinawag ko ang nakatatanda niyang kapatid,” Alba said.

CAPTAIN’S SIDE

The barangay captain, Gemma Calzado, said she fumed at that time because Galvez was reportedly very arrogant in answering her questions.

Calzado did not admit hitting Galvez, exactly, because she reportedly was carried away by emotions at that time.

“Hindi ko direktang maamin dahil nawala na ako sa tamang pag-iisip, tumaas ang BP ko, namanhid ako sa galit sa kanyang aroganteng pagsagot sa akin na walang respeto,” she said.

Galvez said this was not an excuse for the barangay captain to hit her.

“Sabihin na nating tumaas ang boses ko kasi ipinaglalaban ko ang aking side. Bakit umabot sa punto na hinampas niya ako?” Galvez said.

POLITICS?

Galvez believes her relationship with the barangay captain got strained when she moved to another political camp.

“Mula ang lumipat ako (ng grupo). Yan ang dahilan kung bakit sumama ang loob niya. Bahala na kung ano ang kahahantungan nito, basta ang gusto ko lang humingi ng hustisya,” Galvez said.

But Calzado denied the incident had something to do with politics.

“Kahit tamaan pa ako ng kidlat ng Maykapal, wala katotohanan ang kanyang paratang, sila ang namomolitika,” she said.

INVESTIGATION

A complaint for physical injury was filed against Calzado before the Iloilo City Police Station 4 and charges were elevated to court.

She was able to post bail.

Col. Wilbert Parilla, Director of the Iloilo City Police Office, said they have investigated the incident.

DILG-6 has also started looking into the matter.

“Hindi namin dini-discount na possibly administrative liabilities may come out, out of this, if there will be any further action on the part of the interested parties,” said Atty. Junine Wednesday Java, legal officer at DILG-6.