Police arrest 32 alleged hired goons in Biñan City (Sabong News)
Author
Danny Estacio
Date
MAY 01 2022
BINAN CITY, Laguna — The Biñan City police are now investigating a suspected group of hired goons that allegedly harassed residents.
The alleged hired goons numbering to about 32 reportedly introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and other government security forces.
According to City Mayor Arman Dimaguila, the group harassed the residents during a caucus, and a political event before authorities cornered them in Barangay San Vicente on Sunday morning.
Dimaguila, who is seeking re-election, revealed that the said group had harassed his coordinators, leaders and barangay chairmen.
Dimaguila, along with Gel Alonte, a vice-mayoralty candidate, and congressional candidate Len Alonte revealed during a press conference on Sunday afternoon that the members of the group are not residents of this city. They averred that they came from Batangas towns and believed to be hired by politicians.
The said group was seen roaming around the vicinity of the barangay hall of San Vicente. The information reached the city mayor’s office which immediately sought the help of the city police. The SWAT team responded at once to arrest the suspects.
The city is placed under the yellow category by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), though there was no recommendation to the poll body that the city be placed under its control, said Dimaguila.
Dimaguila cited that there were three complainants including a policeman, who was a victim of gun-grabbing, and two village chiefs who experienced harassment from the group.
A week ago, Dimaguila received information about the arrival of unidentified men, following complaints from his leaders that they were being harassed by an unidentified five unarmed men who forcibly barged into the house of the political leader. And the 27, all riding in motorcycles, arrived.
Dimaguila added that two of the arrested suspects have a pending record of harassment during the 2019 elections.
Dimaguila appealed to his rivals not to employ violence and urged them not to resort to harassing the people.
The police said that the suspects could be held liable for usurpation of authority, direct assault, among others.
