Sunday, March 15, 2009

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/14/09/bohol-radioman-files-complaint-vs-mayors-aide

Bohol radioman files complaint vs mayor's aide

By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 03/14/2009 11:28 AM


A radio broadcaster in Bohol has filed a complaint before the Visayas Ombudsman against a mayor's aide for allegedly attacking him inside his office last February.

Nestor Daarol, dyTR news anchor, filed charges against Arlene Karaan, executive assistant of Tagbiliran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

Daarol said he wants Karaan dismissed from the mayor's office.

The radio news reader said Karaan attacked him inside his office last February 28 as he was about to go on air for his block time program "Kasayuran." Karaan, he said, had been waiting for him at the station's reception area accompanied by other people.

Daarol said Karaan hurled some foul-smelling liquid at his body and face. Daarol said he did not know what the liquid was, but said it seemed to have come from a toilet bowl.

Daarol said that he felt dizzy and had difficulty breathing because of the smell. He added Karaan also brandished a rattan stick while screaming at Daarol "not to be a meddler."

Fearing for his life, Daarol ran towards the news anchor’s booth to protect himself from further physical harm. He said the security guards and the station’s staff were all stunned and were unable to react immediately.

Karaan and her companions left immediately after the incident, the radio broadcaster said.

Daarol said the day before the incident, Karaan was looking for him and some of his staff had tried to warn him about the mayor's aide.

He believes Karaan attacked him because for criticizing the alleged P6.4 million worth of unliquidated city public funds over his radio program. He said, however, that he did not mention any names in the scam.

The Commission on Audit had released a report about the city government's financial transactions in December 2007, and Karaan was among those with unsettled accounts reaching up to almost P800,000.

Daarol later filed a blotter at the Tagbilaran City Police Station and had to see a doctor for an allergic reaction from the liquid that was thrown at him.

A few days after the incident, Daarol broadcast his radio program "Silab sa Udtong Tutok" on another radio station, DYRD, and told listeners about his encounter with Karaan.

as of 03/14/2009 11:28 AM

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