Ex-court sheriff caught with grenade

MANILA, Philippines - A retired sheriff of the Quezon City regional trial court was arrested at past midnight yesterday for carrying a hand grenade in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Ariel Abeya, 50, was brought to the Manila Police District Station 8 and now faces charges of illegal possession of explosive and grave threat.

Initial investigation conducted by Police Officer 3 Rommel Purisima showed that Abeya, a resident of Batas street, figured in an altercation with barangay kagawad Adelina Palma over an undisclosed reason.

When the two crossed paths at around 12:15 a.m. along Luriban street, Abeya allegedly brought out a hand grenade and threatened to throw it at Palma.

Purisima said in his report that barangay watchmen patrolling the area witnessed the incident and arrested Abeya. The MPD Explosive and Ordnance Division confirmed that the hand grenade seized from the former sheriff was real but no longer had explosive contents.

Abeya admitted during interrogation that he only used the grenade to threaten Palma. – Edu Punay