Explosion rocks NHA compound in Quezon City—police

MANILA, Philippines—An explosion rocked the compound of the National Housing Authority office in Quezon City early Monday, police said.

Inspector Noel Sublay of Quezon City Police District station 9 Explosive Ordnance Disposal said an MK2 Fragmentation Hand Grenade went off inside NHA’s compound on Eliptical Road in Diliman, Quezon City, between 5:15 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., damaging five vehicles at the establishment’s parking area.

However, the incident, Sublay said, was only reported to authorities around 10:20 a.m., nearly five hours after.

This, he said, was because outgoing guards didn’t inform the incoming security guards of the incident, saying that they didn’t have a logbook.

“Pinagalitan nga naming sila dahil dun sa lapse na yon (We reprimanded them for the lapse),” Sublay said.

But while police have yet to identify the suspect behind the attack, Sublay said witnesses claimed to have seen a person on a passenger taxi who hurled something inside the compound.

He said police are still looking into the accuracy of the information, but said that the grenade, indeed, came from outside as its safety pin was recovered at the roof of the parking lot.

As to the motive, Sublay said authorities are still looking into the possible connection of the recent turn-over of security agency to the attack.

Listen to Radyo Inquirer 990 for more reports. Karen Boncocan, Inquirer.net/ Radyo Inquirer 990

Originally posted at 12:42 pm | Monday, July 2, 2012