3 kids hurt in Zambo blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines - At least three minors were injured when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded Wednesday morning in a village west coast of this city, according to authorities.

The victims were identified as Jayson Nalzaro, 8, Myka Padayao, 9 and her six-year-old brother Tirdy.

Police Senior Inspector Karib Muharram, Police Station 10 commander, said the explosion occurred at around 6:40 a.m. barely few meters away from the house of Diosterides Librero, barangay chairman of Ayala, Purok 7.

Police investigation showed the Padayao siblings were walking on their way to school, with Nalzaro behind on board a bicycle cab driven by his father Jaime Nalzaro, 42, when the explosion happened.

All of the victims, who sustained slight injuries, were brought to a lying-in clinic in Ayala.

Police Superintendent Felix Martinez, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Management (CIDM), said they are still trying to determine the motive for the attack and the type of bomb used since no grenade fragment was recovered.

Librero disclosed that they received a death threat letter last Tuesday.

Librero, in November 2013, had his legs amputated and became blind when unidentified suspects lobbed and exploded two grenades at his house, killing two people and injuring ten others, including him.

Police said a grenade also exploded late last June near the area.

Suspects behind the grenade explosion in June, believed to be linked with illegal drug trade, had been identified and charged by the authorities.