Slapping of 3 SP guards: Papin condemns LRay, fake news solon says

By Paolo Gabriel D. Jamer

Vice Governor Imelda Papin has condemned Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte for allegedly slapping three security guards of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) at the provincial capitol complex in Cadlan, Pili, at around 9:00 PM on Jan. 20 after the guards refused entry and allow personnel sent by the lawmaker to install closed-circuit television (CCTVs) cameras inside the legislative building.

In a press conference on Jan. 21, Papin, who is running for Camarines Sur governor in the May 9, 2022 elections, questioned Villafuerte’s presence in the SP building calling it an invasion. Cong. LRay is from the 2nd District, what is he doing there? He is not a governor or vice governor, so what is he doing there, the singer turned politician said.

Papin said she was not informed in advance of the CCTV cameras installation. There was no prior communication about it. Even Governor Migz Villafuerte did not inform me, she added.

Papin identified the three SP guards on duty at the time of the incident who were reportedly slapped by LRay as Nelson Rulfo, Francis Bismonte and Romnick Belmonte. She said Gerald Pacer, the SP security chief informed her by phone about the incident.

She said the three guards did not make a report about the slapping incident because they were afraid of what would happen to their families if they would pursue their complaint against the lawmaker.

In a statement given to BH TV, a social media page managed by Ruel Saldico, who is a DZRH reporter, LRay denied Papin’s accusation calling it as “fake news.”

“Almost 3 years natin hindi nakita at narinig itong absentee vice gov ng CamSur. Tapos biglang sumulpot dahil election na para mag papansin at magpalabas ng fake news. Mel, maski isang linggong serbisyo mag bigay ka naman. Palibhasa ang dami mong ghost employees kaya ang tawag sayo, Ghost vice governor! Hindi ka na nagpapakita, ang dami mo pang kalokohan,” LRay said.

According to Papin, she believed that LRay ordered the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor her activities in relation to her candidacy as governor of Camarines Sur.

Aside from Papin, who is supporting presidential aspirant Bong Bong Marcos, other candidates for the top provincial post include Luigi Villafuerte, LRay’s son, and ex-Congressman Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr.