Pulong slapped with attempted murder complaint

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is facing several criminal charges, including human trafficking, attempted murder, grave threats and physical injuries.

The complaint was filed by a local trader after a violent altercation at a bar in Barangay Obrero in the early hours of 23 February.

The complainant, 37-year-old Kristone John Patriarca, accused Duterte of beating him and trying to stab him with a knife during a party at Hearsay Gastropub.

He said the fight started over unpaid fees for a group of women he arranged for a private gathering requested by Duterte and their acquaintance, businessman Charlie Tan.

Patriarca said Tan asked him to bring “the six prettiest girls” to a house in Woodridge, Barangay Maa, where Duterte and some Chinese businessmen were drinking. He arrived with five women and later moved with the group to the bar.

The trouble began when one of Duterte’s bodyguards didn’t get a companion and a woman complained she was only paid P1,000 instead of the P13,000 promised.

An angry Duterte allegedly pushed Patriarca down the stairs and attacked him.

“He cursed at me, punched, kicked and headbutted me, saying he would kill me,” Patriarca said. “He stabbed at me with a knife and told his bodyguards to lock the doors and turn off the CCTV.”