Probe up vs soldier in grenade explosion
A member of the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion is now in hot water over a grenade explosion Saturday night at Brgy. Baybay Norte, Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Lt. Col. Jorge Joel Lalaquil, 82IB commanding officer, vowed that he would institute necessary measures against Corporal Noel Sales of the 31st ARC Reconnaissance Company.
“Whatever we will establish, he is liable under administrative functions. We will prosecute him,” Lalaquill said, as he assured no whitewash in the investigation.
Sales’ act resulted to the injury of three persons, including himself.
The soldier’s quandary stemmed after a he allegedly approached a group of five persons who were on a drinking spree at around 10:00 p.m. of Sunday.
“Hambal na matiraw kamo kang kakaw. Waay ko kamaan nga bomba gali,” narrated the 17-year Toto, one of those who were injured.
Toto noticed that the suspect was under the influence of liquor when the incident happened.
The “drunk” Army man allegedly showed to them a hand grenade, which he made to go off and exploded.
The explosion pierced through some parts of the motor bancas moored in the area.
Toto suffered minor injuries from shrapnels.
His companion, Samuel Patrimonio, suffered injuries on his genitals and hand.
Their two companions – a certain Jimson Simeon and Ramil Fernandez – were physically unscathed.
Sales, on the other hand, sustained head injuries.
After the incident, members of 82IB responded to the crime scene.
But some residents in the area doubted the soldiers’ presence claiming that it might be a way to cover up what Sales did.
According to Brgy. Kagawad Ricky Moreno, the explosion almost jolted the coastal village. Yet, after the clearing operations, the bancas were placed in order.
“Ginpang-ukay nila ang area, pati na ang mga baroto. Gin-ligwat nila ang pagplastar,” he added.
But Lalaquil stressed that they only responded because of those who were wounded and injured
“Hindi naman sa kino-cover-up. It’s just to preserve the incidence sana kung nakayanan pa. But no, it was already inaapak-apakan na...,” he added.
He assured that they would continue the investigation against Sales, who was new at his present assignment.
