One dead, 8 hurt in Sarangani blast

KORONADAL CITY , Philippines  – A birthday party turned bloody on Good Friday night after a grenade exploded that killed an 18-year-old farm worker and wounding eight others, including a seven-year-old boy, in Kiamba town in Sarangani province, according to police and military authorities.

In a text message sent to The STAR yesterday by Colonel Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commanding officer of the 1002nd Brigade based in Malungon town in Sarangani, identified the fatality as Ramil Suloy, 18, who died on the spot due to severe injuries in his stomach.

Those wounded were Benjamin Suloy, 37; Macky Benitez, 15; Fermin Suloy, 45; Ricky Benitez, 38; Jun Suloy, 37; Robert Suloy, 29; Toto Suloy, 37; and Jomar Suloy, 7.

All the victims were residents of Purok Daisy, Barangay Lumuyon in Kiamba town.

Cruz said the wounded victims, who sustained shrapnel wounds on the different parts of their bodies, are presently confined at the General Santos City District Hospital.

They were rushed to the said hospital after the explosion, Cruz said.

The attack took place at around 7:30 p.m. on Good Friday inside the house of Fermin Suloy, one of the wounded victims and the reported birthday celebrator.

Cruz did not give further details why the grenade exploded there.

Superintendent Henry Dazo, deputy provincial director of Sarangani police command based in Alabel town, said the Kiamba police are still conducting investigation regarding the grenade explosion.

Dazo refused to confirm the reports that the grenade was lobbed by an unidentified suspect, saying “wala pang confirmation galing sa Kiamba police.”

“Basta ang natanggap na namin na initial reports, nag­kakasayahan ang mga victim sa loob ng isang bahay dahil may birthday party doon. Nagulat na lamang ang kanilang mga kapitbahay ng makarinig sila ng malakas na pagsabog sa bahay ng may birthday,” Dazo told The STAR in a long distance interview yesterday.    – Ramil Bajo