Pulong Duterte charged over alleged drunken assault in Davao bar
[FILE PHOTO] Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte (C), son of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, attends a senate hearing in Manila on September 7, 2017. Paolo Duterte and the president's son-in-law, Manases Carpio, appeared before the inquiry to deny as "baseless" and "hearsay" allegations linking them to large-scale illegal drugs smuggling.
NOEL CELIS / AFP
Multiple criminal charges have been filed against Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte, including human trafficking, attempted murder, grave threats, and physical injuries, after a trader filed a complaint over a violent drunken altercation that took place inside a posh bar in Barangay Obrero in the early hours of 23 February 2025.
The complaint was filed by 37-year-old Kristone John Patria y Moreno, also known as Kristone John Patria, a resident of Panacan, Davao City, who submitted a sworn statement to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Office of the City Prosecutor. The charges are docketed as XVT-INV-25E-00102 and include violations of Article 265 (Less Serious Physical Injuries) and Article 282 (Grave Threats) of the Revised Penal Code.
Patria claimed that Duterte physically assaulted and attempted to stab him with a knife inside the Hearsay Gastropub Bar following a dispute involving payment to a group of women Patriarca had allegedly arranged for a private gathering at the request of Duterte and their mutual acquaintance, businessman Charlie Tan.
Based on the complaint, Patria was asked by Tan to bring “the six prettiest girls he could find” to Tan’s house in Woodridge, Barangay Maa, where Duterte and several Chinese businessmen were already drinking.
Patria arrived around 8 p.m. with three women. Two more arrived 30 minutes later. The group later moved to the Hearsay Gastropub for the continuation of their party.
The violence allegedly erupted after one of Duterte’s bodyguards failed to receive a companion and another woman complained about receiving only ₱1,000, far below the ₱13,000 she claimed was promised. Enraged over the situation, Duterte reportedly berated Patria, pushed him down a flight of stairs, and proceeded to beat him.
“He cursed me, punched, kicked, and headbutted me repeatedly while shouting that he would kill me,” Patria said. “He used a knife to stab at my side and ordered his bodyguards to lock the doors and turn off the CCTV.”
DAILY TRIBUNE has reached out to Rep. Duterte for comment. This is a developing story.