3 face complaint over Santa Rosa basketball mauling

MANILA, Philippines — Three men are facing a serious physical injuries complaint over the alleged mauling of a man during a basketball game in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Ferlito Teves sustained severe traumatic injuries to his right eye and surrounding area after Redenly Batusin, Martin Batusin and Diether John Batusin allegedly attacked him following an altercation during the game.

The complaint, received by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Santa Rosa on Aug. 12, accused the three of violating Article 263 (4) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.

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Nathaniel Ramos, agent-in-charge of the NBI Laguna District Office, said the incident happened at a covered court in Barangay Don Jose on July 24.

In a transmittal to City Prosecutor Cesar Calubag, Ramos said Teves was playing basketball at about 5 p.m. with witnesses Roy Rioflorido and Carlo Armenta and two other teammates against a team that included Diether.

The game allegedly turned rough after Redenly joined Diether’s team.

Teves said the tension began while he was boxing out Redenly, who allegedly became angry and repeatedly struck his arm with what Teves described as karate-like chops.

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Teves said he told Redenly that boxing out was a normal part of basketball and that the blows to his arm were painful.

Teves later tapped Redenly in a gesture he believed meant the matter had been settled. He said Redenly apparently took it negatively and swung at his stomach, but Teves blocked the blow with his arm.

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Teves acknowledged chasing Redenly and throwing a retaliatory punch, although he said he was unsure whether it landed. Their fellow players intervened and initially broke up the confrontation.

According to the NBI complaint, Martin, who had been watching from the sideline, then allegedly approached and pushed Rioflorido as he tried to intervene.

Another fistfight broke out between Teves and Redenly, the NBI said. Martin and Diether then allegedly joined in and punched Teves while other players tried to stop the fight.

Ramos said Teves’ face was bloodied after the altercation.

Rioflorido helped bring Teves to two hospitals in Santa Rosa before he was referred to Asian Hospital and Medical Center, where he was admitted on July 24 and discharged on July 27.

The NBI cited a medico-legal report stating that Teves sustained severe traumatic injuries to his right eye and surrounding area, including hemorrhages, findings highly suspicious for a globe rupture and a minimal nondisplaced fracture near the right eye.

The report said the injuries would require medical attendance or incapacitate Teves for at least 31 days.

Rioflorido and Armenta identified the three respondents as the alleged perpetrators in their sworn statements, according to the NBI.

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Ramos also said closed-circuit television footage captured the incident and corroborated the accounts of Teves and the witnesses.