Congressman accused of mauling security guard

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - A first-term lawmaker from Lanao del Sur has found himself in the middle of a tempest over allegations of mauling a security guard in a commercial car park in Quezon City.
Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman faced the House media Monday afternoon after queries about a newspaper article alleging that a congressman driving a luxury car refused to be inspected by security last Wednesday when he was about to park.
A check with the Quezon City Police District Detachment 9 in Anonas, Quezon City showed the following blotter report:
"Aug 31 935pm: This time and date SG Ricardo Bonayog y Gate 33 years old SG of Eagle Watch posted at Ayala Technohub UP Campus Diliman Quezon City appeared personally before this stn and requested to be placed on records to wit. That at 430pm aug 31 2011 whie he was performing his duty one Porsche Carrera colored silver was with plate number 8 appeared with the company of one Innova Red pn PCI 150 allegedly on said TDPO the occupant of the Porsche Carrera approached him and with reasons of his own got irked then boxed him several times causing him to fell on the ground in the presence of some witness."
The blotter did not name the congressman.
Pangandaman clan
However, media reports said the congressman belongs to a powerful Mindanao family, which also figured in an alleged mauling incident in the Valley Golf and Country club years ago, referring to the Pangandamans.
There are 2 Pangandamans in Congress, Hussein, and his father, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman representing party-list AA Kasosyo.
Hussein Pangandaman, in an earlier media interview with ABS-CBN, confirmed he owns a Porsche but said many other congressmen also own Porsche units.
He also expressed surprise that his family has been dragged into this since they have been cleared in the Valley Golf incident.
He said he was home in Eastwood at the time of the alleged incident.
Lawmaker changes statement
Later on in the afternoon, Pangandaman told media in a longer interview that he was at Technohub last week but could not remember the date.
He said he didn't have a prepared statement and will speak from the heart.
Pangandaman said he doesn't know how the story could be fabricated and said the accusations are false.
He said sometime last week, he went to Technohub for a meeting with his uncle and lawyer. He was accompanied by staff.
He said he was driving his Porsche. When he tried to enter the parking area, he said he asked nicely if there are vacant slots.
He said the guard appeared not to hear anything.
'Pucha, ocho!'
However, when the guard checked out his plate number, Pangandaman quoted the guard as saying, "Pucha ocho!"
Pangandaman said he left it at that and went inside to park. After he parked, he saw the guard approach him.
That's when he asked the guard what seems to be the problem. The guard did not reply. That's when he said the guard acted as if he was going to draw his service firearm.
Pangandaman said he stopped him, grabbed his hand and tapped him with the piece of paper he was holding.
Pangandaman said he will file a case for harassment.
The guard, meanwhile, said he now fears for his life.
"Natakot nga ako, siyempre maliit na tao lang ako," the guard told ABS-CBN News.
Ayala Land statement
Technohub's owner, Ayala Land Incorporated, sent the following statement:
"September 5, 2011 - At about 4:22 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, a vehicle bearing the plate number '8' together with a back-up car entered the parking area of the UP-Ayala Land Technohub. The drivers of the said vehicles allegedly refused to go through the usual security check required at the parking facility. The owner of the vehicle allegedly punched the security guard assigned during that time. However, the reason for his action remains unclear. Our property manager and security officers immediately reported the incident to the police for further investigation while the security guard who sustained minor injuries was brought to Quirino Medical Center for immediate medical attention."
House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III wants the matter investigated.
"The House should investigate this because such actions, if true, cause damage to the image of the institution. Being a Representative is not a license to harm anyone. We should be the first to follow the rules," he said.