Blast mars Ecija birthday party; 12 injured

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Twelve people, including a four-year-old boy, were injured when a grenade exploded during a birthday celebration in Caranglan, Nueva Ecija Wednesday night.

Police are hunting down the grenade thrower who had had a verbal tussle with Oscar Zamora, 56, chairman of Barangay TL Padilla, during the birthday party of four-year-old Franklin Sucaban.

After the tiff, the man left and returned 30 minutes later carrying the explosive, which he then hurled at the guests.

Besides the birthday boy, those injured in the blast included his parents Ferdinand, 48, and Mary Sucaban, 38; Milagros Sucaban, 53; Celso Aquino, 29, Japee, 18, Erlinda, 29, Rodel, 24, and Rogelio, 29, all surnamed Del Rosario; Martellano Baltazar, 46; and Army Cpl. James Patalig.

They were taken to different hospitals in the Nueva Ecija for treatment, police said.     – Ric Sapnu