ILOILO CITY (PNA) -– An umbrella organization of various business associations in Iloilo has called on the authorities to fast track the investigation on two recent grenade-throwing incidents that happened here “without fear or favor, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILEDF) during its recent monthly meeting here, passed a resolution expressing strongly condemning said bombing incidents which caused damage to the pastry house owned by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and the latter’s family’s ancestral house.

“As business people, our main concern is that peace and order is maintained at all times in our city. We cannot afford to have Iloilo tagged as a lawless and dangerous place and jeopardize all the efforts that we have exerted in making Iloilo an investment hub for business process outsourcing (BPOs), tourism, and agriculture," the ILEDF resolution said.

The business organization also urged Ilonggos to remain calm and encouraged residents to “be vigilant at all times and to report suspicious incidents to the police and to the media” posthaste.

To recall, a grenade was lobbed first week of March at Carlos’ Bakeshop in Brgy. Dungon Jaro, an establishment owned by and which is adjacent to the house of Mayor Treñas. The incident caused injury to the security guard securing said establishment.

Two weeks later, another grenade was thrown at the Treñas’ ancestral house in Brgy. Taal, Molo, where the Mayor’s brother, Francis lived with his family. The grenade exploded under below a window close to the bedroom where Francis Treñas and his wife were sleeping.

The Iloilo Mayor has alleged that both incidents were politically-related.

Not long after the bombing incidents, Iloilo City was included amongst the Category 1 areas in the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s election watchlist.