Business rivalry eyed in Quiapo grenade-throwing

MANILA, Philippines –  An Indian who owns an optical supplies shop in Quiapo had a scare when an unidentified man threw a grenade at him as he was leaving his shop with his bodyguard Friday night.

Police are eyeing a business rivalry as a possible motive for the attack on Ashol Kumar, who owns JSM Optical Supplies at the corner of Evangelista and P. Paterno streets in Quiapo. The incident occurred as devotees flocked to the nearby Quiapo Church, according to Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent James Afalla.

Police bomb experts found out that the grenade lobbed at Kumar could not have exploded – it did not have an explosive filler, detonator, safety pin and safety lever.

“It is possible that someone only wants to scare out the wits of Mr. Kumar or the mastermind could be driving a point that he could easily wipe out the likes of Kumar,” Afalla said.

Witnesses said they saw a 4’11” tall, dark-skinned man of medium build and in his early 20s lob the grenade. The man was wearing a black shirt, denim pants, and a cap.

Police invited for questioning Larry Alamchandani, an Indian who is a respondent in an ejectment case filed by Kumar. Witnesses said they saw Alamchandani in the company of the grenade thrower shortly before the incident.

“The two Indians are reportedly rivals in business and have filed charges and countercharges against each other. We only have circumstantial evidence against Alamchandani,” Afalla said, even as he launched a manhunt for the grenade thrower.

Meanwhile, Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Clemente Ignacio called on police to arrest those responsible for the attack.

“We will not be at peace for as long as these perpetrators remain at large. They must be arrested because the area (where the grenade was lobbed) is a major street artery, where many of our parishioners and devotees pass,” he said.      – Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta