3 kids perish in Caloocan explosion

Three children were killed and six others were seriously injured after a rifle grenade they mistook for a toy exploded yesterday afternoon in Caloocan City.

The identities of the children have yet to be determined as of press time. Initial investigation showed that the incident happened at around 3 p.m., in phase 10, Bagong Silang, in northern Caloocan.

Chief Superintendent Vidal Querol, Northern Police District Office (NPDO) commander, said that while playing, the children saw the rifle grenade and apparently mistook it for something else. "They rubbed it against a wall causing it to explode," Querol said.

The children were rushed to the nearby Tala Hospital where three of them expired due to multiple injuries, Querol added.

Even the adults in the area did not immediately recognize the rifle grenade, Querol said, and "took it for granted."

The rifle grenade, Querol explained, is a foot-long military explosive projectile fired from the the muzzle of a rifle.

Authorities are conducting an investigation as to how the rifle grenade found its way to the residential area, where mostly urban poor families live.

"Baka may mga sundalo na nakaiwan ng rifle grenade or puedeng nahulog galing sa mga 6x6 military trucks na dumadaan. Maraming possibilities," Querol said.

The NPDO chief added police are now tracking down a man who was last seen with the children before the accident. Querol refused to reveal the man’s identity.

According to Querol, police believe the man may be able to help them determine where the explosive came from.

Meanwhile also in Caloocan, the police arrested a 44-year-old man for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old boy while watching a hard-core pornographic movie early yesterday morning.

The suspect was identified ass Loz Diaz of Maypajo Street in Barangay Bagong Barrio. Investigation revealed that the incident took place at around 8:30 Thursday night inside the house of the suspect. According to the victim, he was on his way home when he was allegedly invited by the suspect to watch a triple X-rated movie in his house. At the height of the screening, the suspect allegedly started to molest the victim and forced him to engage in oral and anal intercourse. – Jerry Botial and Pete Laude