Explosion rocks Manila police station

MANILA, Philippines — An explosion rocked a police community precinct at the Manila Police District before dawn Friday, police said.

Senior Police Officer 2 Lorenzo Estabillo said no one was hurt in the incident that happened at the Dagonoy PCP of the Sta. Ana precinct on Dagonoy Street, corner Crisolita Street around 3 a.m.

Estabillo said, however, that the explosion destroyed the door and a portion of the roof.

A report from Radyo Inqurier 990AM quoted Superintendent Remegio Sedanto, station commander, as saying that a pillbox may have been used.

Sedanto said that the Caranto group, a criminal syndicate which police broke up with the arrest of its leader and death of one of its members on April 8, may have been behind the attack.

He said the group was involved in, among others, the illegal drugs trade and robbery.

The report also quoted witnesses as saying that the suspect who threw the explosive device was onboard a vehicle.