‘Drunk’ councilman falls for hitting cop

CEBU, Philippines — A barangay councilman in Tagbilaran, Bohol was arrested Tuesday dawn after he allegedly went berserk inside a Cebu City hotel and assaulted a police officer.

The suspect was identified as Claver Joseph Duhig, councilman of Barangay Poblacion, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Duhig was in Cebu City to attend a conference.

Police Maj. Elisandro Quijano, Abellana Police Station chief, said the hotel security called for police assistance after Duhig, who was reportedly very drunk, became violent and started breaking things inside the hotel bar.

Quijano said that one of the responding police officers—Staff Sergeant Jober Batucan--reportedly suffered from broken nose after Duhig punched him in the face while trying to resist arrest.

“Wala na sya ka control sa iyang kahubog, pag-respond sa police iyang nasumbagan ang police,” Quijano said.

(He was very drunk and could no longer control himself. He punched one of the responding police officers)

According to Quijano, Duhig’s companions tried to pacify him but he did not listen to them anymore.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Colonel Engelbert Soriano said they will not tolerate any unruly behavior even if it involves a politician.

“It’s not a factor kung opisyal sya basta nag-violate sya, arestuhin namin,kakasohan namin, walang compromise doon,” Soriano said.

Soriano said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive prohibiting government officials to get drunk in public places does not only apply to police officials but also to other government officers.

The police are now preparing criminal complaints for disobedience to authorities, direct assault, and drunkenness against the councilman.  FPL (FREEMAN)