Cops eye grudge in Iloilo City grenade blast

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—A fragmentation grenade exploded in front of an apartment complex in Iloilo City early Wednesday, the police said.

A car was damaged and no casualty was reported.

Investigators were still determining the identity of two motorcycle-riding men, who were seen by witnesses before the explosion near the Engelsen Apartment along Delgado Street at the City Proper District.

Senior Supt. Marietto Valerio, Iloilo City police director, said the grenade exploded around 3:30 a.m. in front of the apartment unit rented by Renato Talamera.

Talamera, who was sleeping inside the apartment unit, was unharmed but his Mitsubishi Lancer vehicle was damaged by shrapnel.

Citing results of initial investigation, Valerio said Talamera appeared to be the target of the attack.

Talamera, operations manager of a shopping mall in the city, allegedly got the ire of some mall tenants due to the policies implemented by the mall, according to Valerio.

“The attack could have been meant to threaten him,” he added.