Former rebel hurt in Army camp grenade blast

MANILA, Philippines - A leader of a former rebels' group was injured after a grenade went off in the Army headquarters in Gamu, Isabela on Monday.

1Lt. Rowena Abayon, spokesperson of the Army’s 5th division, said the explosion occurred at the Philippine Army Assistance for Rural Advancement on Literacy building in Camp dela Cruz at about 9:45 a.m.

Abayon said that a hand grenade went off under a Mitsubishi van being driven by a certain Crusaldo Velasco and carrying seven passengers.

One passenger identified as Felipe Cariño was injured and was rushed to the 5th Infantry Division Station Hospital for medical treatment.

Cariño, the vice chairman of the Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development Inc. (CFPDI), sustained wounds on his lower part of the body. The group consists of former communist rebels who have returned to mainstream society.

The van’s front windshield was shattered while its front tires were blown out.

Abayon said the police’s crime scene investigators are now processing the area. She assured that the incident was “isolated.”

Despite the explosion, the 5th Infantry Division will push through with the opening of its candidate soldier course class on Wednesday.

Abayon said applicants from the CFPDI have been in Camp dela Cruz since January as part of their integration into the military’s regular force.

The integration of the former rebels is in line with the peace agreement between the government and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army.