Student killed, 4 others hurt in Ilocos grenade blast

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, Philippines–A student was killed while four others were hurt when a grenade exploded inside a house in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, at about 3 p.m. Monday, police said.

Reports said Billie Joel Vidad, 20, died in the explosion. His classmates Herbert Udong, 19; Joemar Macalandong, 19; Marites Dalija, 17; and Joyleen Lorenzo, 17, suffered shrapnel wounds.

The victims, all students of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Bangui, were taken to the Bangui District Hospital in Bangui and to the Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital here.

Investigators could not say where the grenade came from and who was holding it when it exploded.

Inspector Lauro Milan, Bangui police chief, confirmed the explosion but could not provide details when he went on local radio on Monday afternoon.