MMDA chief presses for speedy probe into Esquivel assassination try

MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Bayani Fernando on Monday urged investigators to speed up their probe on the alleged attempt to kill the agency’s sidewalk clearing operations head, Roberto “Bobby" Esquivel. Radio dzBB’s Bernie Morales quoted Fernando as appealing to authorities to determine who was behind the ambush in Laguna province that killed Esquivel’s driver and wounded the MMDA official’s son. Fernando also said he wanted the authorities to determine the motive behind the ambush. Local police have earlier confirmed that the six gunmen who fired upon Esquivel’s vehicle were after the MMDA official as their target. Even as they are looking for other angles in the ambush, police said the assailants’ motive for the assassination attempt may be related to Esquivel’s line of work because the gunmen left leaflets that contained complaints against the MMDA official's supposed “harsh" sidewalk clearing and demolition operations. The leaflets had a “Partisano" letterhead, prompting investigators to suspect that the ambush may have been staged by the Partisano group, a leftist urban hit squad. Meanwhile, radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported that Region 4-A police head Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad has already ordered the detailing of security personnel to Esquivel. - GMANews.TV