Tarlac barangay chairman under probe for allegedly assaulting minors

The local government operations office of Gerona in Tarlac is investigating a the barangay chairman of Abagon for allegedly assaulting minors.

According to a report on 24 Oras' "Sumbungan ng Bayan," two 16-year-olds were brought to the barangay office on September 9, 2022 for reportedly hurling stones that hit a house in the barangay.

Barangay chairman Nelson Perez was said to have yelled at the boys and hit them.

“Pinagbintangan niya po ako, ako daw po nagbato. Sinuntok nya po yung tagiliran ko,” one of the boys reported.

They also claimed that the barangay official yielded a smell of alcohol while on duty.

“Nakainom po kasi siyang rumeresponde po. Naamoy po namin tapos yung mata pulang pula,” the boys said.

Perez denied the allegations.

“Wala pong katotohanan ‘yan, actually ako po naisstress sa mga kabataan ngayon. Yung sinabi niyang sinasabunutan ko, kinakausap ko umiiling siya na tumatawa tawa pa. Kaya ginanon (inangat) ko po yung ulo niya. Ginanon ko lang po hindi ko po sinabunutan,” the official said.

Juanerio Verano of the local government operations office said that after their investigation, the matter will be referred to the Sangguniang Bayan for its decision whether or not to file an administrative case against Perez.

“Lagay lang po nila sa formal complain, haharapin ko po,” Perez said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News