Divisoria bombing victim fears whitewash

One of the victims in the March 8 Divisoria bombing expressed fears of a whitewash of the case following reports that the policeman whom she suspected of masterminding the grenade-throwing incident has strong connections with the police.

Vendor Marivic Constantino, 47, claimed SPO4 Arnold Ajesta was still reporting for work at the Western Police District (WPD) at the time of the bombing incident despite an order for his transfer to Mindanao last Jan. 3.

Ajesta, 45, formerly of the WPD's Logistics Support Unit, is the alleged leader of the group that collects P130 to P180 nightly from each vendor along the unused railroad spur on C.M. Recto Ave., near Tabora st., Divisoria.

Ajesta's illicit activities reached Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson who immediately ordered the transfer of Ajesta to Mindanao.

However, due to the reported strong connections of Ajesta with some ranking officials of the PNP, he was reportedly able to change his name from Ajesta to Adista, hence, his continued stay at the WPD.

Police said Constantino was stabbed by one of Ajesta's henchmen before a grenade was lobbed at the mob who responded to her cry for help.

In her statement to the police, Constantino named Ajesta as the mastermind in the failed attempt to finish her after she earned the ire of the latter for convincing vendors to stop giving "protection money."

However, the prosecutor only found as "circumstantial" the evidence against Ajesta and ordered his release for further investigation.