Palace: No special treatment for Bar exams blast suspect

Malacañang vowed on Wednesday that there would be no special treatment for the Bar exams blast suspect who surrendered this morning despite the suspect's ties with Vice-President Jejomar Binay. Anthony Leal Nepomuceno surrendered to Binay, who belongs to the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity like the suspect. However, Nepomuceno maintained that he did not lob the grenade that injured more than 40 people. "There will be no special treatment for the suspect. The only request that he had was that he be accorded due process, and that is the same courtesy that we will extend to any ordinary suspect," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing. Lacierda said Malacañang is thankful for the successful intervention of Binay, who convinced Nepomuceno to give himself up to authorities. "We commend the effort of the vice president to be able to convince the Bar exam blast suspect to surrender," said Lacierda. He said he was informed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima last week that they have identified the suspect through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera. On September 26, at least 47 people were injured—including San Sebastian College law student Raissa Laurel who lost her legs—in the explosion that occurred during the traditional Salubong, wherein well-wishers, law students, and relatives greet Bar examinees after taking the test. De Lima said earlier in the day that a fraternity war is "one of the most possible motives, but with a little twist." The justice chief said government agents are also monitoring two other possible suspects in the crime. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who is currently in Vietnam, issued a statement last month telling the perpetrators to surrender as the " full resources of the state are being unleashed" against them. Aquino said he has taken a "personal interest" in the case after visiting the blast victims. "Do not add to the troubles you are now facing. Otherwise, have no doubt that you will be caught. You will not escape the consequences of your actions," said the president. Aquino will return to the country on October 31, after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vietnam. – VVP, GMANews.TV