'Hayden cam' case: Charges readied vs. Afuang over water-pouring antic

MANILA, Philippines — Senate security officials on Thursday night said they were set to file charges against tabloid columnist Abner Afuang for disturbing the inquiry of a Senate committee on the sex videos involving Dr. Hayden Kho and several women, including actress Katrina Halili. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia told GMANews.TV that they were in the process of taking Afuang to the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings. He said the former police officer and one-time mayor of Pagsanjan in Laguna will be charged with violation of Article 144 of the Revised Penal Code, or disturbance of proceedings. “In about an hour or two, we are going to bring him to the Pasay court. It’s the recommendation of the Senate legal counsel," Balajadia said. He said the charge is only for disrupting the proceedings when he doused water on Kho. “Bahala na si (Kho’s lawyer Lorna) Kapunan if she wants to charge him (Afuang)," Balajadia said. Afuang, who was wearing a media ID, poured water on Kho while Kho was being grilled by senators. Senate security personnel immediately arrested Afuang, who claimed that he was irritated by Kho’s alleged abuses on the women. Afuang said he also has a daughter and he felt violated by Kho’s sex videos, some of which were posted on the Internet. “Mabuti nga wala akong dalang baril [It’s good I didn’t bring a gun]," an angry Afuang uttered as he was taken by security officers away from where the hearing was being held at the Senate. Afuang, whose reputation as an incorruptible cop was portrayed in an ‘80s movie (Afuang: Bounty Hunter) by Philip Salvador, also said he didn’t mind being charged and thrown in jail for what he did. Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV