2 dead, 2 arrested following an explosion in Northern Samar

This is all that was left of the house where the explosion occurred on Nov. 22, in Bgy. Bubulusan, Laoang Northern Samar. (Photo: MDRRMO Laoang)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar–Two persons were killed while two others, who were hurt, were arrested when an improvised explosive device went off inside a house on Thursday in Barangay Bubulusan, Laoang town, Northern Samar.

The police only identified those killed as “Gaga” and “Omeng” since their two companions, who were also hurt, declined to talk to investigators.

The two wounded persons were Junjun Simbugan Donato, 32, and Nilo Cuanico, both residents of Purok 9, Barangay Poblacion, Lope De Vega town, in Northern Samar.

The two, along with Dario Ayes, who was said to be a former policeman, were detained at the Laoang police station pending filing of charges for illegal possession and manufacture of explosives.

Ayes, 55, also from Lope de Vega, rented the house from a certain Natalia Capas six months ago.

The explosion was so huge that it was heard in nearby barangays.

An employee of the Department of Public Works and Highways second engineering district in Barangy Burabod, located about two kilometers away from the blast site, said they felt a slight shake of their office when the explosion occurred.

Omeng was killed on the spot while Gaga was declared dead on arrival at the St. Scholastica Hospital in nearby Pambujan town.

Chief Insp. Manuel Castillo, Laoang police chief, said a child who was just passing by was slightly injured during the explosion.

The town’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team recovered several materials in manufacturing explosive devices when they sift through the debris of the house.

These include several improvised blasting caps, one sack of detonating cord and time fuse.

Castillo said they could not give more details since investigation was still ongoing. /jpv