Contractor, pals maul DSWD, mine workers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A contractor was arrested here midnight Monday for allegedly mauling two men here with his workers in Barangay Puguis. Complainants were identified as Ryan Sobrepena Shontogan, 29, DSWD employee and Lito Lim Cabico, 39, gateman, of the mining area of Ucab, Itogon.

Suspects were identified as contractor Ohgie Rivera Obando, 37, married, contractor, of AU 213, Ambiong, La Trinidad, Resty Boado Lachica, 37, married, laborer, and a resident of Purok 4, Gibraltar, Baguio City.

Both natives of Pongpong, Sto. Tomas, La Union, with eight unidentified companions, they reportedly mauled the victims while the latter were buying food at a store when the suspects teased them.

They ignored the suspects but when they left, the suspect followed them and one of them boxed the face of Shontogan.

Cabico tried to pacify but the suspects mauled him also. Cops nabbed the two suspects. Case was prepared against the suspects for filing at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.