(CMFR/IFEX) – On 14 February 2004, at around 7:50 p.m. (local time), a radio commentator in Santiago City, Isabela (approximately 328 kilometres from Manila), survived a grenade attack on his house by four unidentified men. DWSI host-anchorman Modesto “Odie” Gutierrez said he and his family were watching television when the incident occurred. He told CMFR […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 14 February 2004, at around 7:50 p.m. (local time), a radio commentator in Santiago City, Isabela (approximately 328 kilometres from Manila), survived a grenade attack on his house by four unidentified men.
DWSI host-anchorman Modesto “Odie” Gutierrez said he and his family were watching television when the incident occurred. He told CMFR that he could not pinpoint any reason for the attack. “I think politics are behind this incident,” Gutierrez said. “Maybe I criticised some politician, but I do not know who,” he added.
Gutierrez hosts a daily commentary programme, “Pulso Ngayon” (Pulse Now), from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.
Gutierrez’s colleague and neighbour Josie Luna shared his opinion and declined to identify the persons who might have been involved in the attack.
The grenade blast destroyed Gutierrez’s vehicle, a jeep, and damaged the façade of his house. The radio commentator said some witnesses reported seeing mestizo-looking men circling his house before the incident took place.
Gutierrez said that some days before the attack, he had received several text messages and telephone calls telling him to stop making negative comments, warning him that “something bad” would happen to him. He did not take the messages seriously at first because he considered threats to be part of his job. He added that DWSI station manager Art Daguro had also received threats.
In June 2001, two unidentified men fired at the radio station at around 5:00 a.m., before the station had signed on. Gutierrez was also at the station at the time, but said he was not sure if he was the target of the attack.
Gutierrez reported for work on 16 February 2004 despite the attack on his home.
