Grenade suspect in Tudela falls

The man suspected of throwing a grenade at the Tudela Police Station last July 6 was arrested by policemen Wednesday afternoon on other charges.

Tudela police chief Sr. Insp. Ramon Villar said Arnold Montero was arrested in sitio Hagutapay, barangay Puertobello pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 25 judge Apolinario Buaya for the murder of a man in Ormoc City.

The warrant also covered Montero’s brother Marlito, who is now detained in Ormoc.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said that Montero is currently being investigated by Provincial Investigation and Intelligence Bureau for his possible involvement in crimes other than the one stated in the warrant.

Until the investigation is over, Valmoria said they cannot say if Montero is indeed the main suspect in the bombing.

Rogelio Baquerfo, Tudela’s mayor who was forced out his seat earlier this year by now Mayor Demetrio Granada, claimed that Montero, along with allegedly Cris Argumendo and Ricky Oliveros, was the one who threw the grenade at the police station.

Baquerfo also said Marlito Montero tried to kill him last March.

Baquerfo was announced as Mayor after the May 2007 elections but a court ruling made Granada as the Mayor after a recount.  He refused to step down citing his own legal basis but was dethroned by Granada when the former left his post for a function in mainland Cebu.

Since then Granada has occupied the position.

Tudela police were told not to accept any orders from any of the “mayors” but directly from Valmoria himself while the matter is still being resolved.  — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP