Pacman's camp, too defensive - Chiongbian

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 29, 2010) - Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization (Sarro) congressional candidate Roy Chiongbian, political opponent of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao in the lone district of Sarangani, finally broke his silence about the issues on the ambush attempt on Glan Mayor Enrique “Yoyong” Yap, and the roadside bombing incident in Lun Masla in the town of Malapatan which nearly put Governor Migs Dominguez’s life at risk.

Chiongbian, in an interview on Thursday (April 28), said Pacquiao’s camp is “too defensive” in answering questions regarding the incidents.“We still did not pinpoint who is responsible (in Yap’s ambush try) and behind the Lun Masla roadside bombing but the camp of Mr. Manny Pacquiao is very defensive. They keep on speculating,” Chiongbian said, adding that Sarro is still waiting for the result of police investigations of the two incidents.

However, Manny’s camp is now busy defending their camp. Chiongbian also gave his reaction on People’s Champ Movement’s (PCM) lawyer as counsel of the five apprehended suspects charged of Illegal Possession of Firearms before the Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspects were accused of allegedly trying to ambush Glan incumbent Mayor Yoyong Yap. “If they want to save the van, why they need to get a lawyer from Manila? They let the counsel fly to Gensan just to let him say that it was an “Ambush-Me” scenario,” he said. “And if they want to save the van, why did the lawyer defend the five suspects? Does this mean they have something to cover-up? Do our political opponents have something to hide they do not want people to know?”

He added it is impossible for Mayor Yap to set an ambush for himself using the vehicle of Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of Manny Pacquiao. “Inside the van, police recovered campaign paraphernalia of Manny Pacquiao,” he said. Earlier, PCM lawyer Atty. Orlando Salatandre Jr. stressed that Sarro has no evidence to tag Jinkee Pacquiao as the owner of the van which was seized by the police to have high-powered firearm and which was also used by the suspects.

But it is clear in the one-page document taken from the Land Transportation Office that the Toyota Hi-Ace van, with plate number MDM-577, was registered under the name of Jinkee Jamora Pacquiao with the address of NLSA Road in Lagao, General Santos City where the boxing champ’s residence was located.

Based on the record, the vehicle was registered on July 6, 2009 with engine number 2KD1929032 and chassis number JTFJS02P305008418.

Pacquiao’s camp also pointed out that the same vehicle, now under the custody of the Glan PNP, was a van-for-rent. “The van driver, who was used by the suspects, was also the personal driver of Mrs. Jinkee Pacquiao.

Based on the records of the LTFRB, the vehicle of Jinkee Pacquiao is not a van-for-rent because it has no franchise,” Chiongbian asserted.

Meanwhile, Chiongbian said Pacman’s camp has no basis on saying that Sarro, the police, and the military are one in planning the “Ambush-Me” scenario and the roadside bombing incident in Lun Masla. “According to the Explosives and Ordnance experts, if the 105mm mortar projectile exploded, Gov.Migs’ body could have been broken into pieces and even his companions’.

The killing zone of the improvised explosive device (IED) is at least 50 meters. Gov. Migs is not insane to risk his life just to gain publicity,” Chiongbian said. He pointed out that Sarro does not need “drama” in order to win because they are sure winners. ###