abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – International boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday vehemently denied involvement in the attacks involving rival politicians in Sarangani province.
Pacquiao said he has nothing to do with the ambush attempt on Glan Mayor Enrique Yap Jr. last Sunday and the bombing attempt on the convoy of Sarangani Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez last Monday.
He said, however, that the incidents were orchestrated to smear his political campaign in the province where he is running for congressman.
“Talagang klaro namang gumagawa-gawa lang sila ng scenario na makakasira sa akin. Dahil alam nating nagtitiwala sa atin ang mga ‘to, parang ayaw nilang tanggapin na ayaw na sa kanila ng mga tao,” said the boxing champion.
Pacquiao is running against Sarangani's Roy Chiongbian. Yap and Dominguez are political rivals of his party mates.
Ambush try
According to a report by SunStar.com.ph, the ambush attempt on Yap took place 10:58 p.m. Sunday when 6 armed men onboard 2 vehicles blocked Yap's vehicle in Barangay Pangyan, Glan town. Yap overtook the road block and immediately sought police assistance.
A report by SunStar.com.ph said police cited that one of the vehicles used by apprehended suspects in the attempt to ambush Yap was reportedly registered under Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee.
Police were able to arrest 5 of the suspects.
The arresting team also said they recovered several campaign stickers of Pacquiao along with an M-16 Armalite rifle and a caliber .45 pistol from the two Toyota vans recovered from the suspects.
The arrested suspects, who are currently detained at the Glan police headquarters were identified as Freddie Mendez, Ronald Elorde, Alfredo Macabacyao, Jimmy Mier, and Renante Bangkas.
‘Questionable evidence’
However, Pacquiao’s lawyer, Orlando Salatandre Jr., debunked the report of the arresting team, saying they have no evidence to link the ownership of the vehicle to Jinkee.
“According to them the car belongs to Jinkee, but per record there is no evidence to that affect,” he said.
Although Pacquiao did not admit that the apprehended suspects were his men, it was Salatandre who stands as legal counsel for the detainees.
Salatandre argued that the manner of search was questionable and that the alleged recovered firearms were merely planted.
“For us, we're studying whether or not we'll file a case against the arresting team. There is unlawful arrest and unlawful search,” he said.
Cases still being probed
Sarangani’s police director Senior Supt. Restito Gatera, meanwhile, said the ambush and the bombing cases are still being investigated.
He said their investigators are still probing if both cases were done by a single party.
Gatera added that they are also checking the possible involvement of Moro Islamic Liberation Front's Tokboy Maguid in the attempted bombing of Dominguez’s convoy.
Police cited that Maguid is a bomb expert who has an axe to grind against Dominguez for offering a reward for his arrest. -- With a report from Myrvic Abrasada, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
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