Jobless seaman killed in grenade blast, neighbor hurt

After repeated delays on his request to be able to work abroad, a 37-year-old seaman killed himself and injured his neighbor after he hurled a hand grenade inside his house yesterday morning in Quezon City.

Victim Santiago Francisco Jr., a resident of 97 Everlasting St., P2BG Compound, Barangay Central, died instantly in the blast.

His next-door neighbor, Helcon Sarto, 39, suffered body injuries and is currently confined at the East Avenue Medical Center. Police said he was inside Francisco’s house at the time.

Police sources saidthe victim was "terribly distraught" because his latest request for work abroad in an international shipping line has again been delayed. He reportedly asked Sarto to keep him company that morning.

At about 8:30 a.m., however, Francisco took out a hand grenade from a dresser and without saying anything pulled the pin and dropped it.. The grenade exploded killing him instantly and wounding Sarto, who was standing nearby.

Neighbors heard the blast and rushed Sarto to the hospital. — Matthew Estabillo