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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Bukidnon governor: Grenade blast 'scripted'
By Danilo V. Adorador III and Inday Emeterio
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Washing his hands off the grenade that exploded several meters away from his rival's campaign rally, Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Wednesday dubbed the incident as "drama."
"That was all drama--written and directed by Neric Acosta, who is now on the losing end and is willing to shoot himself in the leg in order to win," Zubiri told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, referring to first district Representative Nerius Acosta, the gubernatorial candidate of the Genuine Opposition (GO).
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
Acosta did not accuse anyone for the grenade blast that disrupted his campaign rally in a village in Maramag town Tuesday evening, even as law enforcement authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators.
No one was hurt in the incident, as the blast occurred some 20 meters away from the town square where Acosta's rally was held, police said.
But the congressman hinted that the blast was orchestrated by his "desperate" political opponents -- a clear allusion to Governor Zubiri, who the Acostas earlier blamed for alleged attempts to recall their campaign's security escorts.
Zubiri found the accusation preposterous.
"If the suspects had the intention of harming anyone, (the grenade should) have been hurled in the midst of the rally. Obviously, the intention was to generate attention, which they (Acosta's camp) pathetically got," the governor said.
The whole incident, alleged Zubiri, was masterminded by one of Acosta's close-in bodyguards who is an former soldier and a bomb expert.
Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro tried but failed to reach Acosta for comment.
Tuesday's incident draws new attention to the intense political rivalry between the Acostas and Zubiris in Bukidnon.
Earlier, Acosta accused Bukidnon Provincial Police Director Juan Ratunil of harassing his and his sister's campaign -- supposedly upon the behest of the governor.
Acosta's elder sister, Malou, is running as congressman in the first district, along with two other candidates that include controversial ex-election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Ratunil, the Acostas said, tried to recall their security escorts while in the midst of a campaign rally in one of Bukidnon's hinterland municipalities.
Ratunil and Zubiri both denied the allegations.
The Acostas also voiced apprehensions over the alleged dubious election paraphernalia containing ballots with the names of administration candidates on them. This claim, however, could not be independently confirmed as of Wednesday.
Bukidnon's election climate has already been volatile, with one of its two cities, Valencia, already placed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) under its control.
Over two weeks ago, two supporters of an incumbent councilor in Baungon town were killed in an ambush. Other sources said the incident had been an armed encounter between the town's warring political groups. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (May 10, 2007 issue)
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