DAR chief sons file counter-charges vs mauled golfers

MANILA, Philippines - The two sons of Agrarian Reform Sec. Nasser Pangandaman on Monday filed their counter-complaint against the camp of Delfin dela Paz, one of the alleged victims in a mauling incident in an exclusive golf course in Antipolo City late last December. Radio reports said Nasser Jr and Hussein filed the the physical injuries and threats charges before the Antipolo City prosecutor's office around 10 a.m. The two were accompanied by lawyer Ted Pastrana. "We're not here to pick up a legal fight nor to engage in a protracted legal battle," said Pastrana in an interview on dzBB radio. The lawyer added that he will leave it to the Pangandamans to determine whether they are willing to settle the issue outside the courts. "Pagdating sa areglo I will leave that to the discretion ng mga kliyente namin the Pangandamans. They are the offended party here." The counter-charges were filed roughly two hours after dela Paz filed two counts of slight physical injuries and violation of Republic Act 7610 charges against Nasser Pangandaman Jr and his brother Hussein. Dela Paz also filed physical injuries charges against the Pangandamans' bodyguards, who allegedly helped maul Dela Paz and his 14-year-old son Bino in the Valley Golf and Country Club last Dec. 26, 2008. A separate report by radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen earlier quoted the dela Pazes' lawyer Raymond Fortun as saying their camp is willing to discuss the possibility of an out-of-court settlement with the Pangandamans as long as the complaints are still at the Prosecutor's Office. Fortun, however, said the Pangandamans must be "sincere," and formalized, noting that even though the DAR chief publicly apologized earlier he also blamed the dela Pazes for the scuffle. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV