Ex-cager mauls ABS-CBN reporter, taxi driver

A former professional basketball player is facing criminal charges for mauling an ABS-CBN reporter and a taxi driver in Mandaluyong City Tuesday morning.

Reporter Gretchen Malalad said Paul "Bong" Alvarez pulled her hair, elbowed her in the face and neck and punched her on the forehead while she was interviewing taxi driver William Cabanlit whom Alvarez reportedly mauled. Malalad added that she also suffered scratches on her neck. 

Malalad, a black belter, said she was able to hit Alvarez in the face before police could separate them. The incident was captured by ABS-CBN cameraman Larry Galinato.

"Masasabi ko lang napakabastos nitong si Bong Alvarez. Noong ayaw niyang magpakuha ni-respeto namin iyon. [Noong]  papasok na kami sa pintuan dahil sa nandoon ang biktima, siya na lang ang dapat na iinterbyuhin namin,  pero sinasarado niya ang pintuan ayaw niyang magpadaan. Tapos ng binuksan niya paglabas niya siniko niya ako sa mukha. Hindi ko talaga akalain (Bong Alvarez is so rude. When he declined to be interviewed, we respected his decision. But when we were about to interview his victim he was trying to stop us. When he went out of the room, he elbowed me in the face. I was caught off guard)," she said.

Alvarez was brought to the police station for mauling Cabanlit.

A radio DZMM report said an intoxicated Alvarez hailed a taxicab at Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City around 5 a.m. Cabanlit said the former basketball star first wanted to be taken to Pasig City then changed his mind and asked that he be brought to Quiapo via Shaw Boulevard.

Cabanlit said he decided to take Boni Avenue to avoid heavy traffic but failed to inform Alvarez who had dozed off. He said Alvarez later woke up and reprimanded him for not following his instructions.  

Cabanlit said he asked Alvarez to get off the taxi after receiving a tongue-lashing from the ex-cager. He said Alvarez kicked him and hit him in the face with a bottle.    

Alvarez is now detained at the Mandaluyong police station. Malalad and Cabanlit filed separate complaints against him.

[Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=89289]

since 11am this morning, i've been receiving texts about Gretchen Malalad, or Gege. may nangyari daw sa kanya. eh i'm still at the office kaya wala ko access sa tv. eto pa naman text ni Sheggz, i think tinext din lang 'to sa kanya:

"Gud am po. Watch ka po boy & kris. May nangyari daw po ky mam gege. Mamaya live po papakta daw."

so i asked what's wrong, na di ko 'yun mapapanood kasi nga nasa office ako. and she said:

"Di ngrereply eh. Ung frnd nga nya di rn mtnong c gege... ang worry ko bka my effect un sa reporting ni gege.. sana may makapagrecord sa youtube.."

then an hour later, nag-text naman si Renee: "Napanood mo po b ung s boy & kris? C mam ge siniko ni bong alvarez sa mukha. Tpos sinabunutan p. Mgde2manda dw po c mam ge.. sayang di msyado nanlaban c mam ge.."

followed by another text from Sheggz (sinend din lang ata sa kanya): "Oh my! Siniko pala xa sa may left panga dn lumaban daw c mam gege pero snabunutan daw po c mam gege n parang sinuntok po xa sa ulo. parang nakakaawa po. nagdemanda na po xa. hope ok na xa nw. try ko po irecord pag pnalabas sa tv patrol l8r."

i found out how it transpired from Renee: "Iinterview nya sna c bong alvarez pra kunan panig nya kc nambugbod dw ng taxi driver. ayaw ni bong kya ung pulis nlng sna iinterview ni mam ge. tpos nung ppnta n xa bglang siniko s may left n panga ni mam ge. aun ngkaskitan n yta cla. nsabunutan p yta c mam ge.."