Dumaguete blast injures 3 children

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Three children were seriously injured in a blast Sunday morning in the outskirts village of Camanjac in this city.

Superintendent Crisaleo Tolentino, Dumaguete City Police chief, said investigators reported that the explosion was apparently caused by what they believed to be an undetonated pyrotechnic that blew up after one of the children reportedly pounded it with a rock.

Police blotter identified the victims as Myrna Corsame, 6 years old, Sheila May Sibonga, 2 years old, and Ryan Marcoba, 2 months old, all residents of purok Kamaisan in Camanjac.

All three sustained serious physical injuries and were rushed to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital where they are now confined. Corsame was reported to have lost an arm to the explosion.

Initial investigation showed that around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, an unknown type of pyrotechnic went off while the children were believed to be playing with it. Further investigation showed that the explosive was found in a pile of trash in an undisclosed location.

Tolentino said it could be a remnant of a fireworks display although he admitted it was difficult for the police to trace who could be responsible for the possible reckless disposal of the explosive.

The explosive, which the police described as the canister type, may also have been launched elsewhere but could have landed in another part of the city without going off, Tolentino explained.

The impact or friction caused by pounding on it could set it off, he said, while advising the public against touching or playing with suspicious items and instead to call in the police. (FREEMAN)