37 wounded in Davao grenade explosion

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – At least 37 people were wounded in a grenade explosion that marred a fiesta celebration in Barangay Fatima, Paquibato district here Saturday night.

Maj. Jake Obligado, spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the victims were watching a circus performance in a basketball court when unidentified men hurled a grenade at the crowd at 9:25 p.m.               

Some of the victims were rushed to the nearest hospital in Panabo City, Davao del Norte while the others were taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for treatment of shrapnel wounds.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, city police chief, said their investigation showed that the explosive was lobbed at an Army detachment adjacent to the basketball court.

However, the grenade hit a net barrier of the military camp and exploded in the basketball court.

Investigators have yet to establish the identities of the suspects as well as the motive for the grenade attack.

Obligado said military and police units were dispatched to track down the suspects. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Alexis Romero