Tudela grenade-lobbing ‘politically motivated’

Politics has slowly been established as the motive of the July 5 grenade-throwing at the Tudela Police Station, this according to Cebu Provincial Police director Carmelo Valmoria.

Valmoria yesterday presented to the media, Arnold Montero, the suspect of the throwing of a World War II-type hand grenade.

He said the pieces of evidence gathered have slowly “gravitated towards politics as the motive” since one of the suspects of the grenade-throwing is Pablito Deocampo who, according to Montero, was the one who ordered him to carry out the crime.

Deocampo, according to a report from the Tudela Police Station, was once the number one councilor of the town in the 1990s. He sought reelection, but failed in his bid.

Deocampo then became a close aid of Mayor Demetrio Granada, doing some errands and chores for the latter, the report said.

Aside from Deocampo, the other culprits charged for attempted murder were Montero’s brother Marlito, Jr. and Rolito Mariamonte.

In an interview, Montero claimed he was with his brother Marlito onboard the motorcycle driven by Mariamonte.

His brother, he said, was the one who lobbed the hand grenade.

He also said that Deocampo established contact with him last July 1 to perform the grenade-throwing for a P5,000 fee.

When asked about the purpose of the plan, Montero was told by Deocampo that it was to “teach the police a lesson.”

“Patagmon ang pulis, mao na’y iyang gisulti,” Montero said.

He then gave orders to his brother and Mariamonte to pursue the plan.

He said it was Deocampo who provided them with the hand grenade.

Montero was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued in Ormoc City for the killing of a certain Anton Daisog. He had admitted to the killing in “retaliation to several past infractions.”

Since then, Montero left Ormoc and worked as a fish warden in Puertobello, Tudela.

Valmoria said that the suspects have to pay for the crime since they committed “serious affront to the police organization.”

Earlier this month, Deocampo also sought the assistance of the Tudela police complaining that a supporter of Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo opened fire at the multicab he was riding in.

Baquerfo won the mayoralty seat in Tudela May of last year, but a recount transferred the leadership to Granada.

Since then, both parties have been exchanging reports and incidence of violence and intimidation. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV