Baron Geisler. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The brother and manager of Baron Geisler said Saturday that the actor was sick and was feeling depressed lately, less than 24 hours after he was arrested for punching his neighbour, a store owner.
Arnold Vegafria, Geisler’s manager, told the Philipppine Daily Inquirer that the actor was not drunk when he figured in the altercation.
“He was in shock,” Vegafria said.
“He has a chemical imbalance and is undergoing treatment,” Vegafria added.
Donnie Geisler, Baron’s brother, told the Inquirer that he would take the actor to the hospital later for a checkup.
“He has some bruises. He is now resting.”
Donnie asserted that his brother had been feeling depressed lately.
“He was feeling down because of a personal problem. He also failed to take his meds for his chemical imbalance.”
Geisler was arrested Friday night due to alleged violent behavior against Raymond Dela Rosa, Geisler’s neighbor in a row of apartment houses on Marlboro Street, Barangay East Fairview and owner of the store the actor crashed into.
Case investigator Police Officer 1 Jaime Samson said the 30-year-old actor went to the store about 7 p.m. to buy something but the people there were busy at the time and did not notice him.
The annoyed the actor allegedly grabbed a loaf of sliced bread and scattered it on the ground, prompting Dela Rosa to confront him.
“Geisler apparently got irked by this, so he allegedly took a monoblock chair and hit the screen of the store,” said Superintendent Virgilio Fabian, Fairview station commander.
According to Samson, Geisler punched Dela Rosa in the face and kicked him in the abdomen.
Other neighbors broke up the fight and soon enough Geisler was arrested by police responding to the ruckus.
Fabian said the actor was subjected to a medical examination and tested positive for alcohol.
Geisler was scheduled to undergo inquest proceedings for malicious mischief and physical injuries at the Quezon City prosecutors’ office on Saturday.
“Dela Rosa initially wanted to file child abuse charges because his child was traumatized by what happened,” Fabian said.
Geisler was later charged with malicious mischief, physical assault and child abuse at police station 5 in Fairview.
Geisler spent the night in the said precinct and was reportedly seen awake already as of 9 a.m. though he didn’t give any statement to the media.
Both the Dela Rosas and the actor’s family eventually came to an amicable settlement on Saturday, ending with Geisler walking free at around 11 a.m.
Donnie said his brother might have missed taking his medication which he has been taking for a year now for a “bipolar condition.”
“It was a shock to me because he was doing well,” Donnie said. “Then I think he missed his medication. So at this point he shouldn’t miss his medication.”
In 2011, Geisler underwent a six-month alcohol rehabilitation program, Donnie added.