MMDA exec admits receiving threats prior to slay try

MANILA, Philippines –Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sidewalk clearing operations head Roberto “Bobby" Esquivel on Monday said he had been receiving death threats even before gunmen staged an ambush in Laguna, killing his driver and wounding his son. A GMA Flash Report quoted Esquivel as saying that he is convinced that the alleged attempt to assassinate him was related to his line of work, where he heads demolitions of illegal structures and operations ridding Metro Manila sidewalks of vendors. Esquivel also appealed to those behind the ambush to spare his family from any move against him. Unidentified gunmen early Monday morning fired upon the Esquivel’s vehicle. Police confirmed that the assailants had the MMDA official as their target. Esquivel, however, was not inside the vehicle. Local police said the motive behind the attack may be related to Esquivel’s work as the suspects left leaflets complaining of Esquivel’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. For his part, MMDA chair Bayani Fernando condemned the incident as he appealed to authorities to expedite their probe on the ambush as they launch hot pursuit operations against the assailants. - GMANews.TV