MMDA hits spate of killings, slay try on exec

MANILA, Philippines – Officials and employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday condemned the series of attacks against their personnel where at least five of their men were killed. GMA’s Flash Report said that MMDA personnel wore black arm bands and came out with a manifesto denouncing the killings of five traffic and clearing personnel and the alleged attempt to kill sidewalk clearing operations head Roberto “Bobby" Esquivel. The report, however, only indicated that the attacks on the five MMDA men occurred before the supposed assassination attempt on Esquivel. Last Monday, six suspected members of the Alex Boncayo Brigade (ABB) fired upon Esquivel’s vehicle, killing his driver and wounding his son. The MMDA official was not in the vehicle during the attack. Investigation showed Esquivel was the target of the ambush, which occurred in San Pedro town Monday morning. Charges of murder and frustrated murder were filed against the suspects before the San Pedro Prosecutor’s Office last Thursday. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV