Cop escapes death in grenade blast 1 dead, 3 hurt in bomb attack

MANILA, Philippines — An anti-narcotics officer escaped death when a grenade planted under his motorcycle exploded, killing a civilian and wounding three others in Mandaluyong City yesterday morning.

Roger Barcelo, 37, a tricycle driver, of Barangay Barangka Drive, suffered severe wounds following the explosion.

Barcelo died while being taken to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

Rogelio Tolentino Jr., 32; Merlina Gembaro, 52, and Edwin Rodas, 34, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to a police report, the target of the grenade attack was S/Sgt. Aldin Saligo, a member of the Mandaluyong police station drug enforcement unit.

He was previously assigned with the intelligence unit.

Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Based on initial investigation, Eastern Police District director Brig. Gen. Johnson Almazan said Saligo was on his way to the police station when the explosion occurred.

Probers said Saligo was on a motorcycle in front of the Botanical Garden along F. Martinez street in Barangay Addition Hills when a hand grenade tied under the vehicle fell off at around 6:55 a.m.

Saligo was unhurt after quickly moving away from the grenade, which exploded moments later. 

Authorities said grenade fragments hit Barcelo, who was in a tricycle behind the policeman’s motorcycle.

Police said one of those wounded was Barcelo’s passenger. The two others were bystanders.

Responding policemen rushed the victims to the hospital where Barcelo was pronounced dead.

Col. Remigio Sedanto, Mandaluyong police chief, said Saligo has been receiving death threats prior to the bomb attack.

Sedanto said the attempt on the life of Saligo could be related to his work in the campaign against drugs.

Police said they would coordinate with establishment owners where Saligo last parked his motorcycle to determine who planted the explosive described as an MK fragmentation grenade.