Saturday, August 09, 2008 Montero tagged in Tudela grenade blast, arrested
CEBU Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria confirmed the involvement of Arnold Montero in the throwing of a hand grenade at the Tudela Police Station.
Montero was arrested in Tudela town on the strength of a warrant issued by an Ormoc City court.
But Valmoria said they still have to find out if others are involved, which was why he did not elaborate on the matter.
He assured though that more details will be available once the case is filed.
Initial reports on the incident stated that three men on a motorcycle lobbed the grenade at the Tudela Police Station. No one was hurt.
Rogelio Baquerfo, for his part, claimed his political opponent, Demetrio Granada and two other town officials, tried to rescue Montero.
Baquerfo, who was at the CPPO yesterday, told reporters that Granada’s camp failed to do so because Montero was surrounded by policemen.
“Why would they do that? They must be hiding something. Nahadlok sila nga mopiya-it ni siya (Are they scared he will squeal?),” Baquerfo said, referring to Montero.
Meanwhile, a report submitted to the CPPO said that Granada “harassed” an appointee of Baquerfo Thursday night.
Granada allegedly entered the old municipal building with some of his bodyguards and shouted at Beatriz Oyao Pesquera, 75, whom Baquerfo appointed head of the
tourism council.
Report
The report stated that Granada allegedly threatened to throw Pesquera out by force if she refused to heed his orders.
Baquerfo said Pesquera was terrified which was why she proceeded to the police station to have the incident recorded.
“Everybody knows who the mayor is. Kay ang kinabuhi mao may labing importante, dili nako muadto didto. Dili ko gusto ug tension kay pro-life man ko (Because life is most important, I won’t go there. I don’t want tension as I am pro-life),” Baquerfo said. (MEA)
