Violence in the mountains: From strafing houses to slapping supporters, masked men now resort to stoning homes
Four stones were thrown to the glass window of Jeanly Pador, chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan in Barangay Tagbao, a few minutes past 1 a.m. on May 6. | Courtesy of the Facebook page of Jeanly Pador
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The spate of violence in the mountain barangays of Cebu City continues as the home of a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) official, who is allied with the party of incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña, was stoned by unidentified men onboard seven motorcyles a few minutes past 1 a.m. on May 6.
Jeanly Pador, SK chairperson of Barangay Tabunan, said they woke up to a loud crash and saw men wearing face masks speeding away to the direction of the neighboring Barangay Tagbao.
Jeanly said four big stones were thrown toward the direction of her room, which was then occupied by her older brother.
The stones shattered a portion of Jeanly’s window.
“Kanang kwarto nga gipunterya nila is akoa gyud unta. It just so happened nga gihilantan ako kuya maong siya natulog ako kwartu and ako sa sala,” said Jeanly.
(The room that they targeted is my room. It just so happened that my older brother had a fever so I let him sleep in my room and I, in the living room.)
Fortunately, no one among the members of the Pador family was hurt.
Jeanly said they saw the last three motorcycles fled their village but they failed to intercept any of them.
She said the dawn incident was the first attack of its kind in Barangay Tabunan, which is generally regarded as a peaceful village.
Jeanly said they do not have any suspects in mind.
She doubts that the attack has something to do with politics.
Her father, Alejo, reported the incident to the Mandaue Police Station a few minutes past noon on the same day, May 6.
Alejo, 54, is the head of the barangay tanod (village watchmen).
He said the group of men utilized seven motorcycles. There were two men on each motorcycle, except for one motorcycle with only one man on it.
Their faces were covered by masks as they threw stones at the Pador family’s house.
Like his daughter, Alejo does not believe that the attack was motivated by a political grudge adding that they do not have enemies.
He, however, admitted that they are known supporters of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).
Asked if he is afraid of his safety, Alejo said, “Di man ko pariha sa uban kapitan nga ni tago kay na hadlok. Sugot raman ko’g atubangon ko nila.”
(I am not like the others who are hiding because they are afraid. [Because I have nothing to hide], I am okay to face them.)
Alejo said the suspects reportedly went to the direction of Barangay Tagbao, where they also stoned the house of Merlinda Magdadaro.
Magdadaro, head of the Barangay Mayor’s office in Barangay Tagbao, is also a BO-PK supporter.
However, Alejo is not sure if Magdadaro reported the incident to the police.
He they will on the lookout for the perpetrators. / celr
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