Newsbriefs

SURIGAO DEL SUR

Grenade kills 4

Four persons, including three minors, died while two others were wounded in a grenade explosion in Lingig, Surigao del Sur, police said on Tuesday.

Supt. Martin Gamba, spokesperson of Caraga police, said the explosion in Barangay Poblacion happened when the victims, who were playing near a waterfall past noon on Sunday, found a grenade and played with it.

The dead were identified as Michael Ambus, 17; Joselito Nonong, 19; Nelbert Banog, 15; and Aiko Mae Nonong, 12.

Two other children—Jake Jay Orillo, 13, and Camille Orillo, 11—were injured and taken to hospital.

The three boys died instantly while Aiko Mae died at Lingig Community Hospital, said Gamba. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

BATANGAS CITY

Woman shot dead

A woman on her way to a court hearing on a case of illegal drug possession was shot dead on Wednesday, according to police.

Supt. Nicolas Torre III, city police chief, said Zenaida Barra was waiting for a ride past 8 a.m. when she was shot by two gunmen who fled on a motorcycle. Marrah Erika Lesaba, Inquirer Southern Luzon

QUEZON

Unpaid wage fatal

A village councilor in Tagkawayan, Quezon, was dead on the spot and another man was injured on Tuesday when a worker collecting unpaid salary went on a gun rampage.

Chief Insp. William Angway Jr., Tagkawayan police chief, said Jose San Diego, a Barangay Bamban councilor and foreman at an irrigation project in Barangay Payapa, was confronted by Rey Geron, a worker, over unpaid wages worth a few hundred pesos.

Geron drew a handgun at the height of a heated argument with San Diego and shot the councilor several times.

A stray bullet hit a worker, Estelito Capatia, in the shoulder. Geron fled and is now subject of a police manhunt. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon

PAMPANGA

Korean nabbed

Police arrested a Korean tourist during an entrapment operation meant for a suspected drug dealer in Dau village in Mabalacat on May 7.

Sam Joon, 47, was caught with a sachet containing shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) which he allegedly bought from a drug pusher, identified as Jerome Dizon, according to Supt. Rodney Baloyo IV, Mabalacat police chief.

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Caliope de Guzman recommended a P200,000 bail for Sam, who faces a minimum prison term of 12 years if found guilty of drug possession. Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon