Gift bomb 'bearer' charged

MANILA, Philippines -  Criminal charges were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday against a woman who allegedly delivered a gift-wrapped parcel bomb that killed a housewife in Taguig City last month.

Police filed murder and frustrated murder charges against Rhea Dalde, primary suspect in the killing of Yvonne Chua on Dec. 29, 2010.

Security guard Reynaldo Busalanan identified Dalde as the woman who had delivered a gift to Chua’s house in Parañaque City, the Southern Police District district investigation and detective management division said. The family driver picked up the package the next day and brought it to Chua’s house in Taguig.

Chua’s husband, Vinson, said Dalde is a former househelp of his wife’s brother, Arnold Padilla. Dalde, 23, of Famy in Laguna, denied the allegations. 

“The delivery of the package was with a clear intent to kill me, Yvonne, and my daughter Chloe and served as a necessary means to commit murder and multiple frustrated murder,” Vinson alleged.

Chua died on the spot after opening the package. The gift contained five different types of hand grenade, only one of which exploded. Vinson and their six-year-old daughter Chloe Simone were unhurt.

Police said Dalde was not arrested since she only surfaced weeks after the incident. The victim’s husband was considered a suspect before Dalde was identified by witnesses.