CCPO probes confrontation between habal-habal driver, IT Park security guards

A video of the confrontation between habal-habal driver Marson Mangubat and two IT Park security guards has gone viral. |  Screenshot from contributed video via Emmariel Ares

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Policemen in Cebu City are investigating accusations of physical injuries against two security guards at the Cebu IT Park.

The incident that happened last August 29, 2023 allegedly caused injuries on habal-habal driver Marson Mangubat, a 44-year-old resident of Sitio Riverside, Barangay Sapangdaku, Cebu City.

The said confrontation was caught on CCTV and has gone viral since.

Mangubat has attempted to file a formal complaint against the two security guards, who were identified as Rodelo Bertulfo and Erwin Narciso, at the Mabolo Police Station. But Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they referred the case to the Apas barangay hall that has jurisdiction of the area.

“If both do not agree to a settlement or whatever nga ilahang masultian diha sa barangay and then the victim decided to file the case, we are very much willing to assist anybody nga mofile og kaso,” she said.

While both parties attempt to settle in the barangay-level, Rafter said that they will also continue to gather information to find out what actually happened last August 29.

“We are still gathering more information. We are also conducting investigation so far as the case pud sa nahitabo, based pud diha sa video nga atong nakita nga karon is spreading throughout the social media,” Rafter said.

“Amo pa nang i-establish nga panghitabo. Basta pagkakaron, we are still trying to connect with the companya kung asa pud ni sila na-employ [ang mga security guards],” she added.

Citation Ticket

In an live interview that Allan Domingo of Balitang Bisdak posted on his social media page, Mangubat alleged that the two security guards deployed near the Salinas Drive exit of the Cebu IT Park tried to block his motorcycle with the use of a metal barrier.

The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. on August 29.

The two guards also went after him which caused him to fall from his motorcycle and sustain minor injuries on his arms and knees.

Mangubat said that his helmet was also broken.

During their investigation, Rafter said they learned that the two security guards called out Mangubat for trying to pick up passengers, thus obstructing traffic flow in the area.

Rafter said that Narciso was about to issue a citation ticket when Mangubat tried to speed away.

This prompted the security guards to block his way with the use of a metal barrier.

Mangubat said that after he fell from his motorcycle, Narciso went on to issue the citation ticket.

Bertulfo, for his part, has apologized for the broken helmet, Mangubat said.

Follow-up investigation

Rafter said that they will continue to gather information on the incident to have a clearer picture of what actually happened.

They are also trying to connect with the security agency that employs the two security guards to also hear their side of the story.

Meanwhile, Rafter is urging the public, especially the drivers to always be patient and be considerate while on the busy city streets.

“Ang ako lang i-awhag sa mga katawhan, labi na sa mga driver, nga kalma lang gyud ta pirmi kay kanang dalan, tanan ta nagdali. Tanan gusto maabot [dayon], labi na gyud karon pud nga nag-eskwela na atong mga anak. Usahay ma pressure pud ta sa atong mag anak. But again, let us be calm sa pag drive nato,” she said.

“Unya og naa tay engagement, let’s go ahead of time para dili ta magdali-dali. Then, always observe the traffic rules gyud. Kung dili ka pwede diha, ayaw pagsulod diha. Obey with the traffic rules,” she added. / dcb

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