The series of bomb threats at several schools in San Pedro City, Laguna, plus the murder of a TODA president, sounded more than just a random series of crimes for political observers.
For the most part, the city of San Pedro, Laguna had managed to earn a reputation as one of the most peaceful and stable cities in the so-called “Industrial Belt” of Laguna province.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the city has had a spotless crime record. Petty offenses such as theft and holdups are still recorded from time to time, and some barangays have earned a nasty reputation as a hub for the illegal drugs trade – a reputation that has been gradually eradicated during the relentless anti-illegal drugs campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Which is why a series of “serious incidents” in the city – such as bomb threats affecting its schools, as well as the murder of a prominent TODA president – has made San Pedrenses worried.
And rightly so, as political analysts have raised concerns that the city’s political situation could get much, much more heated as the 2025 midterm elections draws near.
In fact, one such analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity, said these series of incidents cannot be simply dismissed as “random” crimes that are part and parcel of urban life.
“The police should not discount politics as behind these bomb threats and others crimes that create fear and anxiety in the community and distrust to the local government leadership” the source said, while raising the question, “Why is this not happening in Binan City and other cities in Laguna?”
Bomb threats
Notably, there has been a series of bomb threats reported in various schools in the city since classes were reopened last July 29.
These included a reported threat at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) San Pedro Campus, as well as the successive bomb threats received by teachers and staff of the Doña Pilar M. Alberto Integrated High School sa Barangay Landayan from July 30 to August 1.
Police reports stated that teachers and even the principals received through social media various messages (obviously fake accounts) warning that there was a bomb hidden inside the school.
During one such incident last July 30, classes were disrupted and students evacuated while offices from the Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (PECU) of the Laguna Provincial Police Office combed the site.
Not surprisingly, no evidence of explosives was found.
However, authorities said that all such threats are treated “seriously,” no matter how brazenly false these might be.
“First of all, we have to consider yung mga bomb threat na ‘yan seriously. So ang intervention po ng kapulisan natin is to educate yung mga security guards kung meron man don sa eskwelahan and yung mga teacher kung ano ang kanilang unang-unang gagawin nila. At itong mga pulis na ito ay naka-deploy na doon sa mga eskwelahan simula noong pasukan,” P/BGen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, head of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office, said at a recent “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum in Calamba City in response to a query from OpinYon Laguna.
Brazen killing
And last Saturday, August 3, San Pedrenses were shocked by the brazen killing of a tricycle driver from this city who was gunned down in broad daylight in neighboring Biñan City that day.
The victim, however, was no ordinary tricycle driver – Mark Anuran was the president of the Pacita Complex Homeowners Association, Inc. Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (PCHAI-TODA), one of the largest tricycle associations in San Pedro City that serves not only Pacita Complex in that city but also parts of Biñan City as well.
Initial police reports state that Anuran was driving his tricycle along a private subdivision in Barangay San Francisco, Biñan City when his passenger suddenly drew a firearm and shot him several times.
The victim was rushed to a private hospital in Pacita Complex where he succumbed to his injuries later.
The daylight killing has had a “profound impact” on the tricycle drivers inside Pacita Complex who depend on their sidecars for their living, some sources told OpinYon Laguna.
“May mga tricycle driver na po na nag-aalala sa kanilang kaligtasan, lalo na po’t mismong pasahero po na isinakay ng biktima ang gumawa ng krimen,” one source recounted.
Possible motives
Police officials in Biñan City who are now undertaking an investigation into the murder reported that Anuran was “well-liked” among his fellow tricycle drivers and had no prior history of any personal disputes or financial problems.
However, some sources informed OpinYon Laguna that one possible motive is the alleged presidency of the San Pedro City TODA Federation..
These sources reported that Anuran was allegedly being pressured to run for the TODA Federation presidency, which the victim reportedly resisted.
“So far, iyon lang naman po ang nakikita naming motibo sa pagpatay since wala naman po kaming alam na ibang personal na sigalot o kaaway,” these sources stated.
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