Sketch of Rizal pillbox explosion suspect out

Police released yesterday a sketch of the prime suspect in the Sept. 21 pillbox explosion that left two people dead and 27 others injured during a fiesta celebration in San Mateo, Rizal.

Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago, Rizal police director, has ordered a massive manhunt for the suspect identified only as Ding, a sidewalk vendor who has gone into hiding after the incident.

Santiago said the sketch was based on the descriptions given by witnesses, mostly traders on Gen. Luna street in Barangay Dulong Bayan Dos.

For two nights prior to the incident, the suspect reportedly had verbal tussles with his fellow vendors.

On the night of Sept. 21, he was said to have packed his things and left the place as the barangay folk were celebrating.

Some two hours later, the explosion occurred, killing Christopher Andal, 30, and his four-year-old stepson, John Paul Ramirez, and injured 27 others.

Andal, his live-in partner and her three sons were walking in the middle of the street when the pillbox exploded in their midst.

The suspect was described as between 30 and 35 years old, about 5’3" tall, with semi-muscular build and dark complexion, and sporting a short black hair and thin moustache and beard.