Grenade attack on wake kills 2

Three men hurled grenades at a wake in Caloocan City late Friday, killing two mourners and wounding 21 others, including children, in an attack that police suspect was meant to silence a witness from testifying against two police officers accused of killing a television news cameraman in July.

Senior Superintendent Geronimo Reside, Caloocan City police chief, said the attackers struck at around 11:30 p.m. last Friday, hurling three grenades at mourners at the wake of Celerino Galarce, 47, father of witness Charles Galarce.

Charles Galarce is a key witness in the killing of RPN-9 cameraman Ralph Ruñez.

"Three men lobbed hand grenades in the middle of the mourners. Two of the grenades blew up while the other failed to explode," Reside said.

Two people were killed — Roberto Rabatong, 38, and Imelda Omadto-de la Cruz, 52.

Twenty-one other mourners were wounded. They were identified as Hilario Tugunon, Eduardo Echevaria, Sean Caceres, Rudy Lagarde, Edgardo Echa, Silverio Alipio, Alma Chavez, Melody Fernandez, Miriam Fernandez, Angelique Espiritu, Edgardo Ariola, Manahel Atamoy, Esperanza Badel, Robert Espiritu, Jojo de la Cruz, Everdine Esteves, Jomer Epulan, Amelie Borlongan, Jhun Villegas, Dominar Dison, and Wilfredo Sarto.

"Some of the victims are children and at least six of them were critically wounded," Reside said.

The wounded were brought to the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Hospital in Tala. Five of them were later transferred to East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City for further treatment.

According to Reside, the suspects were sending a message to the Galarce family to back off from the Ruñez case.

Charles Galarce, 22, had earlier told police that he had been receiving threats against him and his family for turning state witness against Inspector Bryan Limbo, PO2 Aristotle de Guzman and Ernani Magnayon, suspects in the Ruñez robbery-killing.

Last Monday, at around 8 a.m., Charles’ father, a tricycle driver, was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding suspect while picking up a passenger along Administration Road in Tala. Police investigators believe the killing was connected to the Ruñez case.

Charles was one of the original planners of Ruñez robbery in July that resulted in the cameraman’s killing. Ruñez was shot dead when he resisted.

Charles backed out before the plan was carried out, however. His group tried to liquidate him to silence him but he survived the attack and told the police his story. This led to the arrest of suspects Limbo, De Guzman and Magnayon.

Magnayon, who cooperated with the police, was accidentally shot dead by jail guard Ricardo Zulueta inside the Caloocan City last Oct. 6.

Police were unable to determine if the incident was connected to the Ruñez killing. Limbo was in the room, allegedly looking for some documents, when Magnayon was shot.

"Those in the know are getting killed one by one. Soon, there will be no one to tell the real story," said one police investigator.

Limbo and De Guzman are still locked up at the Caloocan City jail awaiting trial.

Ruñez’s killing sparked outrage against the Arroyo administration, which has been accused of condoning the series of killings of journalists and left-leaning activists. Other countries have criticized the government, saying it was doing too little to stop the killings.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton said witnesses in the grenade attack have refused to come forward, fearing for their lives. "Witnesses who remain silent are now my problem."

Celerino Galarce’s funeral, supposed to be held today, was reset for yesterday afternoon. His son, unmindful of his safety, attended the last rites under heavy police guard.