Violence erupted recently during a political sortie in seemingly quiet Bohol when supporters of actor-game show host Cesar Montano and bodyguards of former Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan engaged in a verbal tussle that nearly led to a gunfight.

According to witnesses, it was Montano himself who intervened and pacified the warring factions.

Involved in the fracas is Montano’s younger brother Rommel, an action star who had appeared in several films together with his brother, and whom, some witnesses said, may have started the fracas by engaging prominent businessman Donald Sevilla in a heated discussion.

Tagbilaran City police confirmed the incident, quoting from a report filed by Sevilla, a long-time ally of Dumaluan, who went on to accuse the younger Montano of brandishing a pistol and threatening him.

Dumaluan’s bodyguards merely came to the rescue of the unarmed businessman, they said.

In an interview, the younger Montano defended his actions by saying that he was provoked into drawing his firearm after Sevilla allegedly berated him in front of several supporters.

He further explained that Sevilla was irked when he refused overtures from his camp to “promote” his older brother’s candidacy.

He added that Sevilla was being critical of Montano’s campaign manager, Ariel Lim.

The incident marred an otherwise festive occasion which marked the elder Montano’s oath-taking as chair of LP-Bohol.

Present during the celebrations were LP bigwigs led by Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Manuel "Mar" Roxas I, Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and former Rep. Nereus Acosta.

"I could have just lived a life in ease to enjoy the fruits of my labor but I cannot, in conscience, face squarely our Creator later if I could have given more for Bohol and had not done it," said Montano during his acceptance speech.

Montano's wife, actress Sunshine Cruz, also graced the affair together with Quezon province governor, Raffy Nantes.

Montano has announced his intention of running for governor of Bohol.

“Tuloy na tuloy na ito,” he said.