2 patay sa pagsabog sa Masbate Army detachment

MANILA, Philippines - Two government militias died and eight security personnel were hurt after a grenade accidentally exploded inside a military detachment in Mandaon, Masbate last Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, chief of the Army’s 903rd brigade, said a 40mm ammunition for a grenade launcher exploded at 8:50 a.m. inside the Civilian Active Auxiliaries detachment in Barangay Tulda.

Two militias died while undergoing treatment at the Masbate Provincial Hospital. Military reports identified the fatalities as Sanny Reoayan and a certain “Roberto.”

Four injured militia men and one soldier identified only by the name Sgt. Havetacion were airlifted to the Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 5 in Legazpi City for further treatment.

The other wounded personnel are still undergoing treatment at the Masbate Provincial Hospital.

Military reports said a militia man identified as Romy Arriola was cleaning firearms when he accidentally fired an M203 grenade launcher, resulting in an explosion that rocked a hall where a seminar was being held.

The 903rd Infantry Brigade, which oversees the operations of the Tulda detachment, vowed to look into the incident.

“This command will conduct immediate investigation on the incident to determine possible infraction of regulations or SOPs (standard operating procedures) and prevent its recurrence in the future,” Kakilala said.