Ex-Eheads drummer, bandmate deny assaulting graphic artist

MANILA, Philippines - Former Eraserheads drummer Raimund Marasigan and his bandmate on Friday denied beating up a graphic artist during an event in Pasay City Thursday night. A report over QTV's Balitanghali said Marasigan, who currently fronts rock band Sandwich, denied that he and bandmate Mike Dizon assaulted Eric Encinares during the victory party of a men's magazine at the World Trade Center. Marasigan also denied dousing water on Encinares, which the latter claimed started the alleged mauling incident. In an interview with GMA News' Emil Sumangil, Encinares alleged that he and others present at the event were taking pictures of models walking down the runway while Sandwich was performing when Marasigan allegedly doused them with water. "Initial reaction ko pagtalikod ko napamura ako. Kumbaga lahat din naman ng nabasa, napamura kasi nabasa sila e [I cussed when I looked back at who doused us. Everyone who was doused with water cussed]," Encinares said. "Parang gusto niyang palabasin, 'kumakanta kami dito ayaw niyo kaming pansinin' [I think the message he wanted to get across was that the band should be given attention because it was performing]." Encinares said he was facing the stage when someone slammed him on the back, causing his eyeglass to fall off. He said that when he looked at the supposed assaulting party after picking up his glasses, he saw Marasigan and Dizon. "Nung sinuntok ako di ako makalaban kasi hawak ko yung salamin kong ganyan, tapos sinasangga ko lang ng kanang kamay ko yung mga suntok. Pagkaawat kay Raimund Marasigan biglang sumugod yung drummer nila, yung Mike Dizon. Sinapak ako dito [When I was punched I couldn't fight back because I was holding my eyeglasses, I just tried to block the punches with my right arm. When Raimund Marasigan was restrained, their drummer Mike Dizon suddenly punched me here]," said Encinares, gesturing toward his chin. But in a phone patch interview aired over the Balitanghali report, Dizon said it was actually Encinares who offended the band while it was performing. "Ang totoo siya yung nambabastos tapos kinonfront namin siya after the set. May commotion, inescort sya ng bouncers palabas. Pero walang nabugbog [The truth is, he was the one offending us so we confronted him after the set. There was a commotion, and he was escorted outside. But no one was beaten up]," Dizon said. Dizon said they are willing to talk to Encineras about the incident once they return from a gig in Dumaguete. "Willing [kaming] kausapin siya. I'm sure pagbalik namin galing probinsya magkakausap lahat lahat [We're willing to talk to him. I'm sure when we return from the province everyone can discuss this]," said the drummer. Encinares, who reported the incident to Pasay City police, said he was open to reconciliation if the musicians apologize. - with Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV