Village chief, wife killed in Batangas grenade blast

BATANGAS, Philippines – A barangay chairman and his wife were killed while two others were wounded when a grenade reportedly planted inside their vehicle exploded as they were traveling Friday night in Laurel town here.

Nestor Rodriguez of Barangay Buso-buso and his wife, Eusebia, died while being treated for shrapnel wounds at the Mercado Hospital in Tanauan City, said  Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director.

The couple’s companions, former barangay councilor Jaime Sarmiento and his businessman-brother Maximo, were undergoing treatment in the same hospital as of press time.

The victims were initially rushed to the Laurel Memorial Hospital but were later transferred to the Mercado Hospital, said Laurel police chief Senior Inspector Ireneo Bajado.

Reports said the victims were on board a Mitsubishi L-200 pick-up with license plate DSZ-276, when the explosion occurred at about 11:15 p.m. in Barangay Gulod.

The victims had just come from the house of Laurel Mayor Randy James Amo in the said village where they reportedly attended a celebration.

Initial investigation showed the grenade was planted between the driver’s and the front passenger’s seats.

Police said Rodriguez was driving the vehicle while his wife was seated beside him and their companions at the back.

Bajado said they are looking at politics and business rivalry as possible motives for the attack.

Police are still clueless on the identity of the attackers.

Fidel said a special investigation team was formed to probe the incident. – With Ed Amoroso