Barangay chairman may face charges for locking up, stoning MDRRO

The barangay chairman of Barangay Uno in Pagsanjan, Laguna may be charged with alarm and scandal and damage to government property for locking up and stoning the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Office or MDRRO.

The CCTV footage that was part of the report of GMA News' John Consulta on "24 Oras" on Wednesday shows Brgy. Chairman Rickardo Fabian crossing the street to the MDRRO before sunrise and looking inside the office. Then, using a wire, he locked the office.

Fabian left and returned holding a rock, which he hurled at the closed door before leaving.

Fabian explained that his action stemmed from his frustration because no one responded when he was supposed to turn over two minors caught involved in a brawl and for violating curfew hours.

"Wala kaming pagdadalhan, sarado ang pulis, sarado ang rescue. Binalibag ko yung pinto para magising. Sigaw ako ng sigaw. May pinto sa labas, may pinto sa loob, hindi ako marining," he said.

Roderick Tobias, duty rescuer, said the officers on duty fled out of fear because the barangay chairman attacked the office.

"Kahit nga po problema ho ng barangay, minsan yung rescue naresponde eh. Kahit ho away, na-rescue din ho kami. Pero yung kinagagalit niya ho, di ko alam kung bakit ho," he said.

"Maaari hong nakainom o maaari hong problemado sa sarili niya," he added.

Municipal Administrator Florante Salvador Jr. said the municipal government will file charges of alarm and scandal and causing damage to property against Fabian once they get feedback from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"Yung complaint namin ay dadalhin namin sa DILG at hinintayin na lang natin ang advise ng DILG kung ano ang susunod naming hakbang," Salvador said. — Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News