Congressman’s Son Who Beat Up Security Guard Resigns As Negros Oriental Board Member

The son of House Deputy Speaker and Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. resigned as board member of Negros Oriental as he apologized for beating up a security guard at BF Homes in Parañaque City on March 16.

“What happened is already done. Whatever the exchange of words were, I was wrong to lay my hands on him…For that I offer my sincerest apologies, apologies to all of you here and to the other party concerned,” Kurt Matthew Teves said in a press conference in Bayawan City on Wednesday, March 23.

“This incident is entirely on me, no one else. No one else,” he stressed.

Kurt Matthew, the incumbent chairman of Barangay Malabugas, serves as an ex-officio member of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board being the elected president of the province’s Association of Barangay Captains.

Kurt Matthew said he was ready to face the charges that may be filed against him in court and that he decided to step down as board member.

“I must respectfully resign from my office as a public official while I face this problem and give time to reflect on my own person, as well,” he noted.

Captured on videos that had since became viral, Kurt Matthew was seen rudely treating and challenging security guard James Pajares to a shootout before beating him up.

Pajares told GMA News he did not allow Teves to enter BF Homes since the motorist did not have a residential sticker.

Another gate is open for those who do not have a sticker, but a motorist entering the subdivision should leave an identification card, Pajares said.

An angry Teves left, but returned later with companions in another vehicle. They got out of the vehicle and went to Pajares to beat him up.

A tearful Pajares said he was worried for his family and was now scared to do his job. He said Teves challenged him to a shootout.

Not PSPG personnel

As this developed, Maj. Jackson Caces, spokesman for the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG), said Kurt Matthew’s three bodyguards are not from their unit.

Caces clarified Kurt Matthew and his father are not on the list of personalities who have security detail from the police unit.

“Based sa aming record, wala po tayong naka-detail na security for Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his family,” Cases said in a text message to The Philippine STAR.

The PSPG is the unit of the Philippine National Police which secures elected and appointed government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and visiting foreign dignitaries.

It also secures private individuals authorized to be given protection.

Caces said private individuals need to apply for a protective security, which undergoes validation of the alleged threats.

He added a qualified person is entitled to a maximum of two protective personnel.

Charges being readied

The BF Federation of Homeowners Associations Inc. (BFFHAI) expressed hope on Wednesday that the case they would file against the younger Teves would prosper.

BFFHAI legal committee chairman Delfin Supapo Jr. said they would file a complaint for grave threat against Teves for attacking Pajares.

“Our legal team is looking into the incident. We are hopeful (that the case would prosper) because we believe in our legal system,” Supapo said.

“We have evidence, including photos, videos as well as the testimony of the witnesses and Pajares,” he added.

Pajares said he did not allow Teves to enter because the congressman’s son is not a resident of the subdivision and his car does not have a sticker from the BFFHAI.

“Based on the video, Pajares took three punches to the chest, one to the head. He was even asked to kneel when he was kicked. A gun was also pointed at him,” Supapo said. “Our security guards do not have guns.”

Supapo said Pajares became scared after the incident and no longer goes out of his house.

Earlier, the BFFHAI condemned the incident in “strongest terms” as it stressed that Pajares was merely doing his job. It said what happened was a totally uncalled for violence against him.

“The rules on stickers were designed primarily to ensure the security of the homeowners. No one should be above these rules regardless of social status, political inclination or influence,” it added.

The elder Teves defended his son over the incident.

“There are many rude security guards at BF Homes. I just didn’t have time to file a complaint because of my busy schedule. But the guards there are really rude, as if they didn’t have proper training,” he said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

“Whoever beat up anybody, I don’t think it was for no reason,” Teves said.

Teves confirmed that Kurt’s vehicle does not have the required sticker to enter the subdivision where the lawmaker’s mother resides. – With Edu Punay