The two men accused of assaulting a woman in Hartman, Barangay San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City, on September 3 have appeared at the San Miguel Barangay Hall and denied the allegations.
Barangay Captain Prince Russel Gloriani said the woman identified them as the suspects, but they rejected the accusations.
“Yung mga suspek, ‘yun ang tinuturo talaga ng complainant. Naninindigan ‘yung complainant na ‘yung dalawa talaga. Tinatanggi naman nila ‘yung pananakit pero nung mga oras na ‘yun based dito sa CCTV footage, sila ‘yung dumaan nung oras na ‘yun,” Gloriani said.
“At may mga reported din bago pa ‘yang pangyayari na ‘yan na mayroon din yata silang pinagtripan dyan sa Hagedorn Road at ang modus yata nila, kapag magkasintahan, ang tinitira yata nila ay ang lalaki pero itong incident ay ang tinamaan ng suntok ay ‘yung babae,” he explained.
Gloriani said the victim already went to his office and was advised to file a formal complaint.
He advised the victim to file the complaint in the barangay where the two suspects reside so the Katarungang Pambarangay could begin the process.
If no settlement is reached, they could request a certificate to file action and bring the case to the proper court.
The barangay captain added that there have been other reports of violence in the area, which they immediately acted on.
He admitted, however, that enforcing the ban on young people loitering and drinking at the Hartman shoreline has been difficult.
“May tatlong pangyayari na dyan sa Hartman area na reported sa barangay. May mga outpost na kami dyan sa area at dalawa nga ‘yan sila. May tanod din tayo dyan na naka-duty araw-araw at gabi-gabi at may mga tanod din tayo na nakatira dyan sa area na ‘yan,” he pointed out.
“Ang problema ay laging tinatambayan ang area na ‘yan lalo na ng mga kabataan. Sinisita at pinagbabawalan naman natin pero kapag nalilingat tayo ay bumabalik din sila. Pinauuwi ‘yan sila kapag nakikita natin pero may mga matitigas talaga ang ulo at dyan nag-iinuman,” Gloriani added.
He said that they plan to install more lights in the darker parts of Hartman and will also talk to the land caretaker where the youth usually gather to prevent similar incidents.
Concerns over safety in Hartman have been raised before by local leaders and residents.
A purok president in Barangay San Miguel earlier confirmed that a group identified with a certain “JunJun” has been linked to repeated disturbances in the area.
In a local radio interview, the official urged the public to avoid Hartman beach at night until reports of assaults and stone-throwing are resolved, and asked for a police outpost to be set up near the shoreline to deter groups causing trouble.
Anti-Crime Task Force chief Richard Ligad also highlighted the danger posed by individuals frequenting Hartman.
He cited the case of a woman who sustained seven stitches on her head after being attacked.
“Ito si ate, pitong tahi. Pitong tahing inabot ni ate. At nakuha na yung pangalan nila,” Ligad said, naming two individuals allegedly involved.
He described the suspects as creating trouble for no reason, saying, “Nantritrip talaga sila. Nantritrip talaga kayo.”
Ligad stressed that residents are no longer safe as long as such individuals remain in the area.
“Hanggat hindi kayo nasusutil dyan, ilan pa ang kailangang umabot ng ganito? Hindi na kayo safety sa lugar na yan,” he said, assuring the victim that the authorities will help pursue the case and calling on the police to act firmly on the incidents.
