By Jennifer P. Rendon
An unidentified motorcycle-riding suspect lobbed a grenade at a parked passenger utility jeepney in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo early morning of Nov 6, 2021.
No one was hurt in the incident.
Major Raymond Celoso, Sta. Barbara police chief, believed that the perpetrator did not intend to harm anyone.
Ariel Surabilla, 45, said he heard a motorcycle rumble outside their house at Barangay Cabugao Norte, Santa Barbara around 2:40 a.m. Saturday. It was followed by a loud explosion.
Surabilla said the motorcycle may have made a U-turn immediately after lobbing the grenade.
When he went out to check, he discovered that his rented jeepney incurred damages from the blast.
The jeepney is owned by Surabilla’s aunt. The blast damaged its body and windshield. Even the makeshift garage was also damaged.
Meanwhile, Celoso said that they are still looking for CCTV footages on the suspect’s escape route.
The barangay hall has a CCTV camera but the tanod or watchman allegedly turned it off.
Initial investigation showed that land dispute could be the motive of the incident.
It involved a 375-square meter lot that was divided among seven heirs, including Surabilla’s wife.
But someone allegedly claimed that a portion of the lot – 53 square meters – was sold to him. That portion was where the garage sits.
But the heir claimed that the “debt” was already paid off.
The claimant and the heir settled the issue before the barangay on Oct 31.
“Whoever did it doesn’t want to inflict injury because he could have thrown the grenade at the house,” Celoso said.
He added that’s the only plausible motive they found since Surabilla vowed he has no enemies.
