1 hurt in grenade attack on Bukidnon radio station

MANILA, Philippines—A 21-year-old worker was injured in a grenade attack on a radio station in Bukidnon early Wednesday, police said.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rufina Dayarcal said one of the unidentified motorcycle-riding men hurled a hand grenade at the station of dxGT Radyo Abante 92.1 FM in Maramag in Bukidnon around 8:10 a.m.

The glass window of the booth was shattered, injuring working student Celso Canam who was cleaning the premises of the station. He was rushed to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital.

She said the explosion occurred while the recorded program of commentator Joas Dignos was being played.

While authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack, Dayarcal said investigators are looking at work-related angle since the station is known for hard-hitting commentaries.

A radio report, on the other hand, said authorities are also looking at politics, as the station is owned by a provincial board member identified as Gordon Torres.

Torres later issued a statement saying the blast occurred while Dignos was tackling several issues, including politics, crimes, drugs and general topics.

He said the attack could be related to any of the issues being discussed in the program.

The radio station’s equipment and other broadcast facilities were not affected and that the station continued its broadcast while the police were conducting an investigation.

The police said witnesses saw the men but could not recognize either one as they wore full-face helmets.

Senior Superintendent Orlando Biñas, Bukidnon police provincial director, said a manhunt for the assailants has been launched.