GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2013) – The camp of Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao had strongly denied news reports that he mauled a village chieftain following an altercation in General Santos City two days before elections.
Sources in Pacquiao’s camp said the boxing superstar has filed charges against Fatima village chieftain Alfredo Belgica, who allegedly harassed 9 of the politician’s followers who were transporting rice for their group’s consumption.
Belgica claimed he was mauled by Pacquiao after he accused him of vote buying. He alleged that Pacquiao’s followers were giving away rice to residents in exchange for their votes, an allegation denied by the politician.
Once source, who was privy to the incident, said Belgica hurled stones at the van carrying Pacquiao’s followers and then fired his gun in the air.
The source said Pacquiao, who was informed about the incident rushed to the village with his lawyers and confronted Belgica and accused the village leader of harassment.
The lawmaker, according to the source, was also dismayed by the failure of the police to arrest Belgica for firing his gun and for harassing his followers. Pacquiao has reportedly threatened to file charges also against the policemen. Belgica is a known supporter of Pacquiao’s political opponents. (Mindanao Examiner)
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