4 men attack Abante News printing plant in Parañaque City

This photo shows the damage caused by the fire that struck Abante News Group’s printing plant in Parañaque City in the wee hours of Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Four hooded men broke into the printing plant between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., poured gasoline to printing machines and supplies before setting them on fire, according to Abante managing editor Fernando Jadulco. (Photo from Abante)

MANILA, Philippines — Four hooded men attacked Abante News Group’s printing plant in Parañaque City in the early hours of Monday.

Abante Managing Editor Fernando Jadulco said the attack happened between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. wherein the men entered the printing plant and poured gasoline to printing machines and supplies before setting them on fire.

“May pumasok na apat na lalaki, nakamaskara tapos binuhusan ng gasolina ‘yung printing [machines and supplies],” Abante Managing Editor Fernando Jadulco said in a phone interview.

Two employees were injured from the incident.

“May baril ‘yung mga lalaki eh, so wala na ring nagawa,” Jadulco added.

Fire and police authorities responded to the scene.

This photo shows the damage caused by the fire that struck Abante News Group’s printing plant in Parañaque City in the wee hours of Monday, September 9, 2019. Four hooded men attacked Abante News Group’s printing plant between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., poured gasoline to printing machines and supplies before setting them on fire, according to Abante Managing Editor Fernando Jadulco. Photo by Abante

According to the Paranaque City Fire Station, the blaze was declared under control at 2:06 a.m. and extinguished at 2:10 a.m.

No further details were provided as an investigation is still ongoing, as of posting time.

In a separate statement, Jadulco slammed the “cowardly attack” at Abante’s printing plant.

“The management and staff of Abante-Tonite condemn this dastardly attack, the first violent act against our group and its facilities since 1987,” Jadulco said in a statement.

“We will not be cowed by this attempt to strike fear into our reporters, editors, and staff. Our commitment to hard-hitting journalism remains unshaken,” he added. /kga