ELIUD “Eloy” Poligrates, a player in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League, in the coming days will step into a different court—the one that hears and decides criminal cases.

Three cases were filed against Poligrates following his arrest for mauling his ex-girlfriend on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Grace (real name withheld), who identified herself as Poligrates’ former girlfriend, filed a complaint for violating Republic Act (RA) 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, last Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Poligrates was also charged with violating RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act, as the police officers found an unlicensed firearm in his possession after his arrest.

The third complaint against the basketball player was theft, as his former girlfriend accused him of stealing her cell phone.

Inquest proceeding

P/SSgt. Jelou Destacamento of the Abellana Police Station said Poligrates was not able to post bail for his temporary liberty after the inquest proceeding at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

During the inquest proceeding, Poligrates opted not to avail of his right to preliminary investigation and file a counter-affidavit.

Poligrates stayed for his second night Wednesday at the Abellana Police Station’s detention cell. He can post bail after the prosecutor is able to endorse the charges to the court.

Poligrates’ side

In an interview with Superbalita Cebu, Poligrates denied the allegations made by Grace against him.

He denied mauling the victim. But he admitted that a scuffle occurred between him and Grace because she was reportedly keeping a pistol in her car at that time.

“Ang tinuod lang nga akong gikuha ang armas sa iyang sakyanan kay sa una iya na ra ba kung gibaharan. Aron ma-safety lang mao to ako tuyo (The truth was I got her firearm from her car because she had threatened me before. To ensure my safety was my aim),” Poligrates said.

Property

He said he met Grace at a convenience store in Barangay Sta. Cruz to discuss matters concerning a property that they had bought while they were

together.

During their meeting, Poligrates said he requested Grace to return to him the documents relating to the property. Grace, however, refused.

He also denied stealing Grace’s cell phone, adding that he was the one who had bought it. (BBT / JKV)