‘Samurai warrior’ sows terror on hardcourt

A Land Transportation Office (LTO) officer, who had moonlighted as a referee in a barangay basketball league, was wounded after being attacked by an irate spectator over his seemingly biased officiating during a game in Sta. Ana, Manila.

Emmanuel Mojica, 32, a liaison officer of the LTO’s emission testing program, and a resident of 3093-C A. Bautista street, Punta, Sta. Ana is now undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital after he was hacked by the suspect with a Japanese sword the other day.

Responding policemen and barangay officials arrested his attacker, Alex Llanera, 45, officer-in-charge of Barangay 894, Zone 99, and a resident of 3093 A. Bautista St., Punta, Sta. Ana.

Llanera’s brother Noel, whom witnesses said aided in the attack, managed to escape carrying his caliber .38 revolver.

Mojica’s friend, Manuel Moron, 42, a carpenter of 3101 A. Bautista street, was also wounded after he tried to ward off the attackers.

Investigation conducted by the Western Police District showed the incident took place during a basketball game at around 8 p.m. along Blue Water street in Punta, Sta. Ana.

PO1 Erwin Salanio said Llanera uttered unsavory words to the referee over what he believed were questionable calls.

Mojica ignored the heckler at first, but eventually engaged him in a verbal tussle. Cooler heads prevailed and Llanera went home.

Police said the suspect returned shortly, wielding a katana and attacked the victim. During the commotion, Moron tried to grab the suspect but also got hit, resulting in laceration on the right side of his head.

Bystanders watching the game came to Mojica’s aid and ganged up on Llanera. That was when his brother arrived brandishing a revolver, which he fired twice in the air.

Sensing that he too would be mauled, Noel poked the firearm at several people before fleeing to elude arrest.