BJMP official ‘threatens’ crowd in cockpit over two sons’ losses

THE director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Eastern Visayas was accused by a cockpit management in Borbon, Cebu of harassment.

Jail Senior Supt. Hernan Grande allegedly brought two unidentified men with him armed with M16 rifles inside the Goyong Cockpit Arena in Barangay Don Gregorio Antigua late Sunday afternoon.

Insp. Glen Devocion, the town’s police chief, said the jail official reportedly went to rescue his two sons from a mob of angry bettors.

He said Grande’s children refused to give their money to the management after losing a game.

Alleged cause

“They questioned the referee’s decision on the technicalities of the game,” Devocion said.

A brief commotion happened inside the cockpit after the spectators and bettors got mad at them. This prompted the jail official’s children to call on Grande to ask for help.

Devocion said Grande arrived at 5:20 p.m. with two men carrying high- powered firearms.

“Wala’y nagpabuto. Wala’y nanion. Pero nakuyawan ang mga tawo didto, labi na ang management (No one fired a shot. No one pointed a gun at anyone. But the crowd was scared, especially the management),” he said.

No side yet

The management composed of Fortunato Dianon, Jose Antigua, Virgilio Antigua, Anecito Ruiz and Leonardo Bacalla reported the incident to police.

Devocion said Grande allegedly frisked Jose and pushed Anecito, who served as referee, outside.

The town’s police chief said he has yet to ask how much money was involved.

Police visited Grande’s house in Barangay Tabunan, but he and his family were not around.

“Wala pa man gud ‘ta kabalo sa ilang side kung tinuod ba gyud ni tanan (We need to get their side on what happened),” he said.

Devocion said Anecito plans to file a complaint against the jail official.

Sun.Star Cebu called Grande’s office, but there was no answer.