Tempers flared during basketball games in Cebu and Iloilo that ended with several people injured and the possible filing of charges.
In Cebu, at least seven people sustained bruises and wounds after players and supporters of two basketball teams figured in a brawl in Barangay Arpili in Balamban town.
The incident happened during the semifinals round of a tournament organized by barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.
The brawl started inside the sports complex at the peak of a tight match between the teams and while barangay and SK officials managed to pacify the situation, the situation erupted anew outside the complex when the wife of a coach was at the receiving end of a fist.
The two camps stopped only when police arrived and intervened.
Eventually, the two camps settled the matter and were made to render community service as penalty.
Meanwhile, in New Lucena in Iloilo, police are bent on filing charges against a barangay captain who allegedly fired his gun when a brawl ensued between players and supporters during a basketball game at the court in Barangay Jelicuon Oeste.
Video footage captured a man bringing a gun in the crowd and allegedly firing it.
The man was identified later as barangay captain Alfredo Buñol. He denied the allegation, saying he pulled his gun out when he heard a gunshot as the brawl erupted.
“Ang kanyang version is noong nag-rumble na raw, nakarining siya ng putok. So kinuha niya ang baril at pumunta kasi assumption niya is may pumutok na baril mula mismo sa mga tao doon,” said Lt. Jhon Rey Laru-an, OIC of the New Lucena Municipal Police Station.
GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas has reached out to Buñol for comment but he has not given a statement, as of this writing. He also has documents for his firearm.
The police have not arrested him for lack of evidence but are bent on filing charges.
“Dapat, sa permit to carry, concealed and covered. Hindi pwede na ipakita mo sa tao. Ang advice sa atin, the mere fact na ang video, hindi pa siya mula sa original source, subject for authentication iyan. Not sufficient basis para arestuhin si kap,” Laru-an said.
No slug from a gun was recovered from the basketball court.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 6 will investigate the Iloilo incident.
“We condemn ang mga ganoong activities, especially in the name of public service na supposedly maging prudent,” said Atty. Junine Wednesday Java, legal officer of DILG-6.
(With reports from Kim Salinas, GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas)
