2 die in Pasay grenade blast

Two people were killed, including a son of a PNP superintendent, in a grenade explosion that rocked a fiesta Tuesday night in Pasay City.

Dead on the spot were Benjamin Velasco Jr., 25, single, eldest son of Superintendent Benjamin Velasco of 127 E. Flores st., Malibay, Pasay and Gemma Baron, 32, of 119 E. Flores st., Malibay, Pasay.

Case investigator SPO1 Cris Cabutin, said the two were drinking with friends at about 9:30 p.m. in their compound during their barangay fiesta.

The revelers were already intoxicated when Velasco brought out a fragmentation grenade and started playing with it. Fearing for their lives, Velasco's companions left but Baron remained.

Witnesses said they overheard the two arguing. Velasco asked Baron for a favor and threatened to pull the grenade's safety pin if Baron refused.

At the height of their argument, Velasco accidentally pulled the grenade's safety pin. Velasco's body was dismembered while Baron's head was blasted to bits by the explosion.

The victims' remains were taken to the Rizal Funeral Homes in Pasay.