9 children hurt in grenade explosion in Leyte

ORMOC CITY — At least nine children, aged seven to 12, were wounded when a 40 mm grenade exploded in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Candadam, Baybay City, Leyte at around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 9.

Police Master Sergeant Alwin Laurente, case investigator, said they received a phone call from a concerned citizen who relayed to them about an alleged explosion in Sitio Tinago.

He said they immediately responded to the area to verify the said report. Upon arrival, he said they saw people in the area.

Laurente said they immediately contacted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

Initial investigation revealed that an eight-year-old boy got a piece of metal in an abandoned videoke bar. The boy and his playmates did not know that the object was a type of an ammunition and could still explode.

Laurente said they played with the object which eventually exploded when it hit the ground. The EOD said the object was a 40 mm grenade which is commonly seen attached above a high powered automatic rifle commonly called a “grenade launcher.”

The explosion made a 5 inches hole in the ground and destroyed a house door nearby. The victims were brought by relatives to the Immaculada Conception Hospital in Baybay City for medical treatment.

JPV