6 hurt in blast; frat wars rage

A long-running feud between two fraternities in Manila came to a head Tuesday night when alleged Tau Gamma fraternity members exploded pillboxes at their rivals, belonging to the Batang Caviteño gang, injuring six persons, mostly bystanders.

Police investigators said none of the warring fratmen were hurt and most of those injured were commuters, waiting for buses at Plaza Lawton. The frat members were alleged to be students of the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT).

Meanwhile in Quezon City, panic gripped the Technological Institute of the Philippines yesterday afternoon after a pillbox bomb exploded inside the campus. Police said the blast was a result of a "frat war" in campus. Although no deaths or injuries were reported, the police said the incident left hundreds of panic-stricken students running towards the exits, causing chaos inside the school.

Reports said the blast occurred at about 5 p.m. inside the school located at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and 20th Avenue. Police have yet to identify the fraternities involved.

According to Senior Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, Central Police District-Central Investigation Unit chief, fraternity rumbles are common during this time of the year.

The victims in the Plaza Lawton blast were identified as Marilen Flores, 28, of 411 Brotherhood St., Perpetual Village, Bacoor, Cavite; Emelito Flores, 28; Jake Roquero, 6, Grade-I pupil of Block 12, Lot 22, City Homes Subdivision, Dasmariñas, Cavite; Maricel Mesias, 25, University of the East student, of Lot 33, Block 1, Perpetual Village, Bacoor, Cavite; Julie Ann Cabasa, 32, clerk, of Lot 22, City Homes Subdivision, Dasmariñas, Cavite; and Leopoldo Cabasa, 32, electrician, also of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Police said Marilen was hit by shrapnel in both arms, left leg and back, while Emelito was hurt in the right thigh. Jake was injured in the right leg, while Mesias was injured in the left thigh. Julie Ann was hurt in the right thigh, while Leopoldo was hurt in the right leg. They were rushed to the Philippine General Hospital for immediate treatment.

Police reports said the victims were all waiting for their ride home to Cavite at the San Agustin Bus Terminal along Magallanes Drive in Plaza Lawton at about 9:30 p.m Investigation showed that as the victims were waiting for their ride, they were suddenly joined by Gary Guiban, 20, and Mark Guirre, 20, both residents of Bacoor, Cavite, and students of the MIT.

Police added that Guiban and Guirre are members of Batang Caviteño, a Cavite-based fraternity.

Police said that as they were waiting for their ride, a Pajero van with plate number UHF-547 passed by. Police said the occupants of the van apparently recognized Guirre and Guiban among the commuters.

According to reports, the van’s passengers suddenly hurled a pillbox at Guiban and Guirre. Guiban and Guirre saw the pillbox and managed to take cover before it exploded.

The van sped off while those injured were rushed by by-standers to the PGH.

Responding policemen later invited for questioning MIT students Deborah Camus, 22; and Marian Navidad, 21; both reportedly members of Tau Gamma Phi. sorority. — Mike Frialde and Matthew Estabilio