Grenade blast kills two militiamen, injures five in Masbate
MANILA, Philippines – Two people were killed and 10 were injured in an explosion in a militia detachment on Thursday in Masbate, the military said Friday.
A 40-millimeter grenade exploded at Tulda Detachment in Mandaon town past 8 a.m., said Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, Army’s 9th Infantry Division spokesperson said on Friday.
Two militiamen were killed while undergoing treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Masbate. Five of the wounded were airlifted to Legazpi City.
“We extend our condolences to the families left by the two of our personnel who died in the accidental explosion,” Aguilar said.
An enlisted personnel, identified as detachment commander Sergeant Havetacion, was among the wounded.
A separate report reaching Camp Aguinaldo said a certain militiaman named Romy Arriola was cleaning his rifle when he accidentally fired the grenade that exploded.
“This Command will conduct immediate investigation on the incident to determine possible infraction of regulations or SOPs and prevent its recurrence in the future,” Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala of the Army’s 903rd Brigade said.
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