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PBA player Fran Yu, dad scuffle with barangay councilor, tanod over parking
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Fran Yu and his father were allegedly involved in an altercation with barangay personnel over a parking dispute in Santa Cruz, Manila on Tuesday.
According to a 24 Oras report by Darlene Cay on Thursday, trouble reportedly began after Yu arrived in front of the Barangay 350 office in Santa Cruz at around noon Tuesday on his motorcycle.
CCTV footage from the barangay showed a barangay tanod approach Yu. According to Barangay chairperson Efleda Dela Cruz, the tanod asked Yu where he was heading, with the PBA player pointing to the barangay hall.
After he parked his vehicle on the curb outside the hall, Yu instead entered a nearby fastfood restaurant.
Barangay regulations state that only barangay vehicles or those with official business at the barangay office are allowed to park in the area. Due to this rule, the barangay chairman instructed the tanod to ask Yu to move his motorcycle.
After a while, the tanod, Yu, and one of the player’s companions emerged.
(About the parking. I said, "Is that yours," but his companion replied, "Do you know who you are talking to?" Then he called some people.)
While talking, the guard fell into the gutter.
“Parang nagigitgitan na po kami sa bangayan po. Ginanon niya ako. Napaatras ako, nabigla. Inaalalayan ko rin sarili ko baka biglang manuntok,” he added.
(There was some pushing from the tension. He pushed me, I moved back, surprised. I also had to support myself in case he swung at me.)
Barangay councilor Victorino Farrales, also inside the food establishment, stepped out, and other barangay personnel and tricycle drivers approached the scene. The two then engaged in a shoving match, eventually coming into blows.
“Sinabihan ko ang tanod na baliktarin yung no parking sign para makita nila. Tinapik ko, hawak yung term nila e. So sige, hinawakan ko, nag-touch e. Sabi ko, ayan no parking talaga. Itigil niyo na 'yan. Sa loob na mag-usap. Kaso hindi ko na nasabi yung sa loob na mag-usap e. Noong pagharap ko, biglang sumuntok e. Sumuntok na siya,” said Farrales.
(I told the tanod to turn the "No Parking" sign around so they could see it. I tapped him while holding it—that's the term they use for that. So I had it and made contact. I said, "See, it is No Parking. Stop this already. Let's talk inside." But I didn't even get to say, "Let's talk inside." When I turned around, he suddenly threw a punch. He had already started hitting.)
Yu's father then arrived at the scene, but instead of defusing the situation, it became worse.
Farrales said the elder Yu cursed at him during an argument, so the official retaliated.
“Tinulak niya ako. Doon na ako dumampot ng pamalo kasi sabi ko, sobra na nasapak na ako ng anak mo. Gumanyan ka pa. Napaka agrabyado naman na namin yun. Kahit sino naman pong tao,” he added.
(He pushed me. That's when I picked up something to use as a weapon because I thought, "This is too much—your son already punched me, and now you're doing this too." We were being mistreated. Anyone would feel the same way.)
The altercation was halted when other barangay personnel intervened. Based on a medico-legal examination, Farrales sustained injuries to his lips, chest, and the back of his head.
After the altercation, both parties once more met at the barangay hall.
"It seems (the councilor) will proceed with filing charges," said the Barangay chairperson.
The Yus have declined to give a statement. — Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
