PANABO City Mayor Jose Relampagos denied the allegations of a media practitioner of physical assault during a conference at Purok 1, Upper Licanan, Barangay Upper Licanan, at around 12:30 p.m. on February 24, 2025.
In a video statement forwarded to VoxPop Davao on Wednesday, February 26, Relampagos said he never assaulted Oliver Autor, 50, a resident of Phase 1, SIR Matina, Davao City.
Relampagos said that Autor’s presence is not needed in the mediation as he has no involvement and concern in the land dispute between the Maningo and Dopio families.
The mayor added that he was surprised that Autor was there even though he was not invited at the mediation.
"Wa man ko mangutana nga giisyuhan ba ko nimo. Wa ko mangutana niya. Unya miingon siya nga gikulata [nako siya], kadako niyang tawo unya kulatahon nako (I didn’t ask him if he made an issue about me and now he’s saying that I mauled him? He’s a huge man that I can’t possibly maul him)," the mayor said.
Barangay Upper Licanan Captain Orlando Bocal Sr., in a report posted by the Panabo City Information Office (CIO), also denied Autor's accusation.
Bocal said he even saw the media practitioner leaving the area riding his motorcycle.
"Wa gyud ko nakita og tinuod ba nga gikulata siya. Sa kadaghan sa tao didto unsa kaha mahitabo niya. Makadagan pa kaha to siya (I didn’t see if he was indeed mauled. There were a lot of people there, he can’t be possibly physically assaulted lest he could not even run)," he said.
According to the investigation of the Panabo City Police Station, the barangay's treasurer, Banice Mahinay, received a threat during the media practitioner’s program.
"'Gawas diha,' ana siya. 'Imo kong gibaboy. Akoa ning programa. Wa koy pakialam nimo' (‘Get out of here’, he said. ‘You insulted me, this is my program, I don’t care about you),” Banice Mahinay told Panabo CIO in a video report.
She admitted she was shocked by Autor's remark during the interview.
Barangay Licunan Secretary Eufemia Verdida also confirmed the mayor's presence during the mediation.
A resident present during the mediation was also surprised by Autor's presence at the mediation during an interview with the LGU.
They said Autor was biased towards a certain party, which the mayor questioned.
However, Panabo Police Chief PLtCol. Jess Anthony Maghirang declined to confirm Autor's allegation as the investigation is still ongoing.
Maghirang said the mediation lasted for an hour and upon returning to the area, he already saw Autor leaving.
"Dili ko maka (I cannot) -confirm or deny sa (on) incident kay wala ko kakita or wala koy (because I didn’t see it nor I have) actual knowledge," the official said.
Maghirang said they already gotten the statements of the involved parties.
Relampagos said he is ready to face charges the journalist will file against him.
Meanwhile, Autor has not responded to the mayor's statement. DTV, RGL
According to Autor, 50, a resident of Phase 1, SIR Matina, Davao City, when interviewed by Supervoxpop Davao in a phone interview, he was covering a meeting, which was the mediation, led by Relampagos.
The conference involved the Maningo and Dopio families, their legal representatives, Barangay Upper Licanan Captain Orlando Bocal, and the Panabo City police chief.
Autor claimed that the mayor called him over and asked, "Unsa'y atraso nako sa imoha nganong imo kong ginatira (What have I done to you that you keep attacking me?)"
Autor responded, "Wala man kay sala sa akoa mayor nag-discuss lang man ko'g issue (You haven’t wronged me, Mayor. I was just discussing an issue)."
Relampagos allegedly shot back, "Oh himo-himuan pa ko nimo og isyu (So now you’re making up issues about me)."
Autor replied, "Nitubag lang unta ka sa isyu para mas maayo ang discussion (You could have just responded to the issue for better discussion)."
At this point, the mayor allegedly became enraged, kicked Autor in the right knee, and punched him in the face, hitting his mouth.
Autor further claimed that one of the mayor’s bodyguards also struck him, prompting him to flee toward his parked motorcycle. However, more bodyguards reportedly chased and beat him.
One allegedly hit his right thigh with a monoblock chair, while another attempted to strike his head with a bench. Autor said he dodged the attack, grabbed the bench, and hurled it back at his assailants while calling for help.
Three of the mayor’s bodyguards allegedly drew their firearms and pointed them at him, but two police officers intervened and de-escalated the situation.
Autor stated that several witnesses helped him escape the area on his motorcycle.
Autor said he already consulted his lawyer and is determined to file charges against the mayor.
