Predawn grenade blast damages PASG critic’s house
11/19/2009 | 08:29 AM
A predawn grenade blast damaged the house of a vocal critic of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in Marikina City Thursday.
Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines spokesman Agapito Mendez Jr. suspects the PASG was behind the blast because of his criticisms against it over alleged extortion. Mendez, however, failed to substantiate his suspicions.
"Wala akong ibang pagsususpetsahan kundi PASG lang, medyo nagagalit ito sa akin (I suspect no one else but PASG because it is mad at me)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
When asked if he received threats before Thursday's predawn blast, he said, "meron pero di namin pinansin (yes, but we disregarded them)."
Mendez's wife Erlinda said the blast occurred at 4:30 a.m. near their house in Fortune village in Marikina City.
A report by dzBB's Sam Nielsen said the blast damaged the sliding door at the house of Mendez.
"Bandang 4:30 ng madaling araw nagulat kami sa pagsabog. Hanggang sa kanto narinig ang pagsabog, pero di masyadong napansin kasi parang kulog (We heard the explosion at about 4:30 a.m. The explosion was loud although we did not think much of it at first because it sounded like thunder)," Mrs. Mendez said.
Mrs. Mendez also said that days before the blast, she noticed unidentified men roaming around the area near their house.
The Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines had been a vocal critic of PASG, accusing it of extortion. PASG had denied the claims.
GMANews.TV wanted to reach PASG chief Antonio Villar Jr. for comments, but Malacañang's directory of its officials has no entry on his contact numbers. - GMANews.TV
Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines spokesman Agapito Mendez Jr. suspects the PASG was behind the blast because of his criticisms against it over alleged extortion. Mendez, however, failed to substantiate his suspicions.
"Wala akong ibang pagsususpetsahan kundi PASG lang, medyo nagagalit ito sa akin (I suspect no one else but PASG because it is mad at me)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
When asked if he received threats before Thursday's predawn blast, he said, "meron pero di namin pinansin (yes, but we disregarded them)."
Mendez's wife Erlinda said the blast occurred at 4:30 a.m. near their house in Fortune village in Marikina City.
A report by dzBB's Sam Nielsen said the blast damaged the sliding door at the house of Mendez.
"Bandang 4:30 ng madaling araw nagulat kami sa pagsabog. Hanggang sa kanto narinig ang pagsabog, pero di masyadong napansin kasi parang kulog (We heard the explosion at about 4:30 a.m. The explosion was loud although we did not think much of it at first because it sounded like thunder)," Mrs. Mendez said.
Mrs. Mendez also said that days before the blast, she noticed unidentified men roaming around the area near their house.
The Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines had been a vocal critic of PASG, accusing it of extortion. PASG had denied the claims.
GMANews.TV wanted to reach PASG chief Antonio Villar Jr. for comments, but Malacañang's directory of its officials has no entry on his contact numbers. - GMANews.TV
