Bus terminal exec transferred after “mauling” incident

CEBU, Philippines - After serving his 10-day preventive suspension over a “mauling” incident, Vicente Dejoras Jr., administrator of the Cebu South Bus Terminal, will be reporting to another office after he was reassigned by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III. 

Davide, who ordered the suspension, said Dejoras has been temporarily reporting to his office and will be given another assignment.

Dejoras was slapped with a preventive suspension from July 22 to July 31, pending the investigation over the complaint that he allegedly mauled an “illegal” dispatcher identified as Glen Marc Alpuerto, 20, inside his office on July 18.

After receiving the report on the alleged mauling, Davide summoned Dejoras to his office. Davide said Dejoras admitted using force when he reprimanded Alpuerto.

“But I told Mr. Dejoras nga sakto idisiplina nimo sila but kanang imong gi-mishandle, that’s not part of your job,” he told reporters.

The Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation recommended for the preventive suspension of Dejoras while an investigation is still going on.

 Sought for his comment, Dejoras belied the accusation that he mauled Alpuerto, saying that he only punched him once on his left abdomen.

“Di man siguro na kulata. Kanang bataa badlungon gyud kaayo na. Sa ako na nga giingon sa una pa nga ilegal sulod sa terminal ok lang, pero madakpan ka, ako ka,” he said.

He said that a member of the Capitol’s Civil Security Unit brought Alpuerto to his office after being caught doing illegal activities inside the terminal.

Alpuerto allegedly threatened Dejoras which enraged him and prompted him to act with force.

“Usa ka sumbag, di man na kulata. Kung manakop ta way hadlok-hadlok. You have to show them that you have force,” he added.

Alpuerto was then brought to the police but was released, said Dejoras.

Dejoras further called the attention of the law enforcers, the Land Transportation Office and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management to act on the rampant ‘illegal’ dispatchers outside the terminal.

“Pila na kabuok dinakpan inig ka ugma, balik na pod. Naa man untay anti-illegal dispatching ordinance sa city nganong di man kadakop sila ana. Asa man ang LTO and CITOM,” he said.  (FREEMAN)