2nd Makati blast victim dies

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City police closed yesterday its investigation into last Sunday’s grenade explosion in a house in Barangay East Rembo after its second victim died while being treated at the Ospital ng Makati.

Police said doctors amputated both of Ladyleine Rodrigo’s legs, according to the Areflor Funeral Home, where the 24-year-old woman’s body was taken at around 6:40 a.m. yesterday.

Rodrigo’s common-law husband, Rodrigo Valido, 35, earlier died while undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Police said an MK-2 fragmentation grenade exploded in the couple’s room along 9th Avenue in East Rembo at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday. City police chief Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio said a domestic spat led to the explosion.

He said they found that Valido has a relative in the military and friends who are soldiers.

“That place (East Rembo) has residents who are soldiers. It is possible that the grenade may have been pawned to him,” he said.