P200 to P1K needed for freedom of detained Hayden 'baptizer'

MANILA, Philippines – For dousing doctor Hayden Kho at Thursday’s Senate hearing on the controversial sex video, former policeman Abner Afuang has been detained and would be freed if he could pay P200 to P1,000. Chief Inspector Reynaldo Paculan, chief of the Pasay City Police Criminal Investigation Division, was quoted in a radio report as saying that the amount is the only requirement to release Afuang, an erstwhile lawman and mayor of Pagsanjan town in Laguna province. The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms filed charges against Afuang for violation of Article 144 of the Revised Penal Code or disturbance of proceedings, when he poured water on the doctor during the Senate probe. His move had earned him the moniker “The Hayden Baptizer" and “Father Afuang." Paculan said his office is currently awaiting the decision of inquest fiscal Roque Rosales on the disturbance charges filed by Senate sergeant at arms Jose Balajadia. Balajadia said on Thursday that the charge for disrupting the hearing was the lone complaint that Afuang would face, unless Kho’s lawyer Lorna Kapunan decided to press separate charges. Afuang had already apologized to the public and the lawmakers for causing a stir during the hearing. The Senate carried out the investigation in aid of legislation in connection to the sex scandal triggered by the proliferation of sex videos of Kho and a number of women, including actress Katrina Halili. Afuang – who currently works as a tabloid columnist – was able to slip past Senate security by wearing a press identification card. He said when a waiter handed him bottled water he was unable to contain his hatred and decided to pour all the content on Kho’s head. The former policeman said his act was his means to express his distaste for men like Kho, who disrespect women. He said he was also doing it because Halili reminded him of his daughter, who studies nursing in the United States. While being detained, Afuang went into a hunger strike, refusing any food being given to him by his visitors. “Sanay na ako di kumain, para sa bayan [I’m used to not eating. This is for the country]," told radio dzBB. On the other hand, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr on Friday apologized to Afuang for saying that what the columnist did was part of the script to get sympathy for embattled Kho. “Kung totoo ang sinasabi ni Abner na dahilan ng ginawa niya, I apologize dahil pareho lang kami ng ipinaglalaban [If what he claimed as the real purpose of what he did is true, then I apologize because we are one in this fight]," Revilla said in a press statement. However, the senator said he still believes that Afuang’s actuation was uncalled for. “Pero hindi ko kinukunsinte ang ginawa niya. Mali yun at hindi dapat tularan. [I don’t agree with what he did. That is wrong]," Revilla said. - Mark D. Merueñas and Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV