| 6 hurt in Davao Sur explosion |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Wednesday, 13 August 2008 | |
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At least six people, including children were injured during an explosion that rocked the village of Saub in Matanao, Davao del Sur at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Helen Caberto, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC-Davao del Sur Chapter) administrator identified those who were brought to Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital as Jaera Gulaya, 5; Flora Mae Masamloc, 15; Adelaida Bongan, 30; Merchie Masamloc, 17; Sarah Dasan, 15; and Efren Paquilit, Jr. 17.
Paquilit sustained severe wounds in the body and reported to be in critical condition inside the operating room.
Caberto said the PNRC is providing HTIG, Tetanus toxoid, and blood for free to the victims.
“If there is a need for us to extend financial assistance to the victims, we will do so,” Caberto said.
The victims said they were converging at the multi-purpose dryer near the residence of Barangay Captain Julito Masamloc when the explosion occurred.
Merchie Masamloc who sustained minor bruises said she could not determine what caused the explosion.
Other victims narrated two military helicopters passed by before the blast.
However, Major Lyndon Paniza, 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander clarified the military choppers have nothing to do with the explosion.
In a media interview Paniza said they are looking into the possibility that somebody among the group accidentally triggered a ‘pingpong’ – a homemade bomb natives used in catching wild boars.
He also said it could be an M203 grenade.
Paniza said the police will be submitting the fragments of the bomb components to the crime laboratory for positive identification of the said explosive device.
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