A cameraman from the Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office (PIMRO) has alleged that Urdaneta Mayor Julio Parayno III assaulted him while he was documenting the service of a preventive suspension order against the mayor. 

The cameraman was identified as 28-year-old Jairus Sibayan. He has reported the matter to the police. 

Based on the spot report from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, Sibayan was permitted to document the service of the suspension order against Parayno on August 12, 2024.

However, after Parayno received the order, his staff allegedly tried to seize Sibayan’s camera. When Sibayan refused to surrender the camera, he was allegedly assaulted.

"Noong time na hindi ko binibigay ang gamit namin, pinagkaguluhan ako ng mga staff niya," Sibuyan said.

"Sa likod nanggaling si mayor... bigla na lang akong nakaramdam ng sapak sa bandang likuran ko," Sibuyan added.

Sibayan said the camera was taken from him forcibly, eventually, and the videos he had recorded were deleted.

He said he remains traumatized by the incident and wants justice served.

"Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko that time," Sibuyan said.

MAYOR

Parayno was scheduled to issue a statement the following day on August 13 but his press conference did not push through. 

According to the mayor's media relations officer, Sibayan was only authorized to take photos, not videos. 

The media officer said the mayor plans to file an injunction after identifying alleged technicalities in the preventive suspension order.

SUSPENSION

The suspension order stems from an administrative complaint accusing Parayno of violating Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

The Provincial Board Blue Ribbon Committee issued a 90-day preventive suspension while the complaint is under review.