Four hurt in Makati blast

Four people were hurt after an unidentified man threw a grenade at a group of men having a drinking session in Makati City last Thursday night.

Police identified the victims as Cresencio Saquilayan, 53, Constancio Columna, 56, Teddy Fuentes, and Mary Ann Maglustre, 25.

Maglustre was said to be merely passing by the area on her way home to Pasay when pieces of shrapnel hit her.

Initial investigation showed that at around 7:45 p.m., the culprit threw the grenade at Saquilayan’s group while they were having a drinking spree at the corner of Lacuna and M. Reyes streets in Barangay Bangkal.

Police said the man used an MK2 fragmentation grenade.

Authorities recovered a safety lever, a striking pin, and shrapnel of the grenade at the crime scene.

The victims were brought to the Makati Medical Center and the Pasay City General Hospital for treatment.

Police said they are now in stable condition.

While the culprit escaped, the Makati police yesterday found a new lead after a witness volunteered more information about the incident.

The witness said he saw the suspect throw the grenade and claimed to know where the suspect was now hiding.

Senior Inspector Florante Jose, head of the Makati police Homicide Division, declined to give more details about the latest development to avoid jeopardizing the follow up operation of the police.

Jose said old grudge or revenge is the most likely motive in the incident.

In a separate incident, a woman was killed while crossing Ayala Avenue after midnight yesterday.

The victim was identified as Nelmari Camion, of Tondo, Manila, who worked as a cashier.

The incident happened at around 12:10 a.m. at the corner of V.A. Rufino street and Paseo de Roxas, according to case investigator, Senior Police Officer 2 Abner Bebon.

A Ford Lynx (WLW 227) driven by one Raymund Lukban, 36, reportedly hit Camion while she was crossing the street. Lukban rushed the victim to the Makati Medical Center for treatment. However, Camion died at around 10:35 a.m.