Pillbox explodes near church

Hundreds of worshipers were thrown into panic after a 22-year-old drunk hurled a pillbox that exploded in front of a church early yesterday morning in Caloocan City.

No one was seriously hurt in the ensuing stampede as people rushed out of every possible exit at the San Roque Parish Church on A. Mabini Street, just across the Caloocan City Hall, Police Officer 2 Joel Aquino said.

Arrested by responding police was Enrique Sy, 22, of Dagat-Dagatan Avenue. The suspect tried to flee after the improvised bomb exploded around 4:46 a.m.

Sy, who was reeking of liquor, refused to talk when asked if he threw the pillbox. Witnesses told probers that prior to the incident they saw Sy walking about the church premises. He was later seen taking out a fist-sized pillbox from his back pocket.

The suspect is detained at police headquarters, facing charges for alarm and public scandal. – Jerry Botial