A UP-Ayala Technohub security guard on Wednesday backed out of a human rights complaint he was supposed to file against Lanao del Sur Representative Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman whom he had accused of assaulting him.
Ricardo Bonayog surprised investigators of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and reporters when he failed to show up at the appointed time Wednesday morning to give his statement against Pangandaman.
Bonayog, who confirmed to the CHR he would execute his statement at around 9 a.m. Wednesday, told investigators by phone his family had reached a decision for him not to file the complaint.
鈥淣obody has threatened him but he said he鈥檚 afraid to go against the congressman,鈥� investigator Marlon Poblador said in an interview, quoting the security guard.
Interviewed on the phone, Bonayog said in Filipino: 鈥淚鈥檓 just protecting myself. I鈥檓 fearful for my life because I鈥檓 up against a congressman. I just want to avoid any situation that may endanger my life.鈥�
Bonayog said he would also withdraw the complaint he filed with the police on the advice of his family.
鈥淲hat leverage do I have against him? I have no stature,鈥� Bonayog said, but maintained that he was standing by his allegation that he was assaulted.
The alleged assault took place inside the Technohub Wednesday last week.
Bonayog alleged that a driver of a silver Porsche Carrera (bearing the congressional license plate No. 8) punched him until he keeled over after he stopped the car for a security check.
Pangandaman denied punching him, but said he hit him with a sheaf of papers while stopping the guard from drawing his gun.