Violence erupts at prayer rally in Antique

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

An interfaith prayer rally led by eight suspended Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members of Antique turned violent when a reporter from the Provincial Information Office (PIO) was allegedly assaulted on Monday, August 12.

PIO staff member Jonel Tives sustained a visible bump after being allegedly punched by a man identified as Pewee Uy during the rally held at the Business Park in San Jose de Buenavista.

Tives reported that he was covering the event when Uy approached him, questioning his affiliation with Governor Rhodora Cadiao.

When Tives responded that he was there as a journalist, Uy allegedly pushed him out of his seat and struck him on the head after Tives attempted to deflect Uy’s hand.

“I was there to report on the event and the concerns of the public, not for political reasons. I never expected this to happen. It’s not just the pain but the humiliation as well,” Tives said in an interview.

Tives, who claims not to know Uy, is now considering legal action with the assistance of the Provincial Legal Office.

Uy is reportedly a supporter of the suspended SP members, who organized the rally to protest their suspension.

Tives also called on the eight SP members who organized the prayer rally to address the actions of their supporters, noting that what was supposed to be a peaceful event turned into a negative experience due to the violent incident.

Supporters at the rally held placards, one of which read: “Kay wara gin sugtan sa plano mo nga korapsyon, suspendihon mo lamang ang walo ka SPs nga gahimo lang man ka insakto para sa probinsiya mo.”

(Since your plan for corruption was not approved, you decided to suspend the eight SPs who were only doing what was right for your province.)

The suspension order from the Ombudsman on August 1 was issued against SP members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Plaridel Sanchez IV, Mayella Mae Ladislao, Kenneth Dave Gasalao, and Julius Cezar Tajanlangit.

The preventive suspension stems from an administrative complaint filed by Bontol, Sibalom, Antique Barangay Captain Rey Ventura, and Steph Jules Siblag, president of Amazing Youth Antique.

The SP members were accused of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect under the 2017 Revised Rules of Administrative Cases in the Civil Service and violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, in approving the P1.075 billion supplemental budget requested by Cadiao.