Cops probe stoning of Mediterranean resto

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are exploring various angles behind the stoning of a business establishment along La Salle Avenue, Barangay Villamonte here yesterday.

Police Captain Peter John Ramos, head of Police Station 4, said one of the owners of the Mediterranean restaurant, who is an Israeli national, was surprised when he heard a loud noise while he was sleeping at the establishment around 4 a.m.

When he checked, he saw that the glass wall was already damaged.

Ramos said that a rock with the message “Free Palistine” (Palestine) was written in red ink on a rock that was believed used in the incident.

Ramos said they could not yet confirm if it could be a hate crime since the Israeli complainant is friendly. But, he said that they do not discount such a possibility.

Ramos said they would have to check the authenticity of the written message.

Aside from this angle, Ramos said that they are also looking into a possible attempted robbery or business-related.

“Kis-a iban modus nila is to check if may mag react sa ila himu-on sa isa ka establishment, kung wala, sudlon nila,” Ramos said. Nobody was hurt in the incident, he added.

Ramos also said that it’s possible that they may have figured in a conflict with other people related to their business. “Gina explore ta tanan na possibilities to establish the motive,” he added.

He said they will check a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage to aid them in identifying the perpetrators. Investigation is ongoing.