CRIMINAL charges were filed before the Malabon City Prosecutor’s Office against Malabon City Second District Councilor Diosdado “Dado” Cunanan and his two sons for allegedly mauling and nearly shooting to death four members of a family Tuesday night in Malabon City.

The victims -- Mark Anthony Andaca, 21; his brother Melvin, 18; their sister Sherilyn, 16; cousin Ian, 23; and brother-in-law Jeffrey Fuentes, 22, all of 8th Avenue Extn.,   Potrero, Malabon City -- pressed charges of attempted murder, slight physical injuries and grave threats against the councilor and his sons Rom and Ryan, before the Malabon City Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday.

Aside from the Cunanans, also included in the charge sheet was the elder Cunanan’s bodyguard, Ferdinand Jonorillo. The filing of charges against the other suspects will follow once their names are verified.

The victims sought the assistance of the Northern Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (NMMCIDT) yesterday after they learned that the Cunanans went to the Malabon City police and allegedly twisted the story to make it appear that the complainants were to be blamed on the incident.

Ian said he earlier went to the Malabon City police to file a complaint against the Cunanans and the other suspects but a policeman, whom he failed to identify, ordered him to go home instead.

“Nung una po, ang sabi sa akin ng pulis ay maghintay muna ako at baka may dumating din daw na magrereklamo laban sa akin. Nung hindi dumating ang grupo nina Konsehal Cunanan, pinauwi na niya ako, tapos nalaman namin na nung dumating dun sina Konsehal, inistima nila agad at kami pa ang naging suspek eh kami na nga ang muntik na nilang napatay eh,”  Ian added.

In their complaint with the NMMCIDT,  Melvin claimed they were having a “send-off” party  or despedida for their friend Roman Piesta who left the following day for a job abroad Wednesday inside the Trianggulo Videoke along MacArthur Highway, Malabon City, at 2 a.m. when one of the five men who were also customers there suddenly hit his nape which caused him to feel dizzy.

He was about to confront the suspect but the latter and his companions ran towards Pineapple Road.

When they reached Pineapple Road, they saw Councilor Cunanan and his two sons, armed with a long rifle and pistols, who immediately aimed at them and eventually fired their guns, hittng Ian in the right feet.

Ryan allegedly grabbed Melvin and hit his forehead with a bottle of Emperador. Joronillo attacked Melvin and hacked both his knees with a bolo.

Melvin’s parents Darius, 37, and Karen, 34, rushed to help their son but Councilor Cunanan allegedly poked his gun at them.

“Ang sabi po n’ya, ’wag kaming magkakamaling lumapit sa anak namin at papatayin n’ya kami, buti na lang at may tumulong sa amin at tinakpan si Melvin para hindi mabaril ni Konsehal,” Darius said.