A religious leader from Zamboanga City is facing the possibility of charges for allegedly spreading false information that he was scammed and harassed at a hotel in Davao City.

The man concerned reportedly took to social media and claimed that some members of the LGBT community knocked on his hotel room and claimed they were contacted for massage service.

The man said he told the group he did not contact any of them but the group allegedly still demanded for a refund for taxi fare, as well as a downpayment.

He said he refused to give in to the demands and asked the security guard for help. He also claimed that one of those in the group kicked him.

He also expressed his dismay after the PNP allegedly ignored his request for police presence in the area.

REFUTED

But the police refuted his allegations.

Based on CCTV footage at the hotel, one of the three LGBT members who went to the room of the religious leader went inside peacefully while the other two waited outside.

After less than two minutes, the religious leader and the group went down to the lobby and that was where an altercation ensued.

It was also the religious leader who hit a member of the group, contrary to his claim that someone kicked him.

According to personnel assigned at the hotel’s front desk, the guest, the religious leader, reportedly complained that the person who went to his room allegedly scammed him.

The religious leader also allegedly claimed that he was a police official.

Police also released photos that police officers were actually deployed outside the hotel.

“Pag-abot niya sa San Pedro Police Station, gi-entertain dayon siya sa police auxiliary nga mukuha og initial nga data. Pero i-forward na sa desk officer nga naka-duty para sa complete details sa complainant ug sa iyahang gireklamo,” Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Spokesperson, Captain Hazel Tuazon, said.

RAPS

The PNP is bent on pressing charges against the religious leader.

“Mag-file ang Davao City Police Office og kaso in violation sa RA 10175, kaning Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. And then, dungagan pud nato kay nadunggan sa mga staff sa hotel nga sya usa ka Chief of Police. Ug naa syay ranggo ng Police Inspector. File-lan sab nato siyag apil sa violation under 177 sa Revised Penal Code for Usurpation of Authority,” Tuazon added.

Authorities also called on the LGBT members involved in the incident to approach the police for a statement.

“Pwede muadto sila sa San Pedro Police Station para makuhaan sila og habig, para makuhaan sila og statement para mas lig-on ang atong kaso nga ifile against this individual,” Tuazon said.

The religious leader already deleted his social media post and his account could no longer be accessed, as of this writing.