By NORA SORINO, SITA ASEQUIA, and NENE LACHICA
of GSD-Iligan Bureau
ILIGAN City–Detained Mayor Celso Regencia has got another issue on his already full plate.
A typhoon Sendong survivor named Yvonne Yancha Antolihaw alleged that she was manhandled by Regencia at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Tipanoy, this city.
Antolihaw made the allegations before a media gathering at Pala-o, this city, late last week.
The incident, she said, occurred at around 10 am on Thursday while she was with a friend.
Antolihaw said she went to see the mayor in order to bring their water supply problem at Caritas village, a relocation area for typhoon Sendong survivors.
Antolihaw is one of the officers of the organization of Sendong survivors.
To her shock, she alleged, Regencia suddenly burst out saying he did not want to be bothered with “small problems” because he already has plenty of “big problems.”
Antolihaw said there was an exchange of heated words between her and the mayor, and Regencia allegedly hit the roof when he heard the name of one “Cocoy Sabarre” or Philamer Sabarre, a mayoral candidate from the Centrist Democratic Party.
Antolihaw alleged that Regencia clamped her mouth with his hands in a fit of anger.
She said Regencia allegedly bruised her mouth, parts of her nape, and chest.
Onlookers, she said, just watched as the scene unfolded.
Regencia could not be reached for comment. When officers at the Police Station 4 in Tubod were asked for a blotter, they said “it was not yet ready.”
Antolihaw said she has withdrawn her support from Regencia, and would help Sabarre instead.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
