4 dead in Masbate dynamite blast

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Four persons, including a barangay captain, died while seven others were injured in a dynamite explosion in Balud, Masbate at around 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen Jonnel Estomo, Bicol police director, said the bodies of Lina Recto, chairwoman of Barangay Pajo; Mac-Mac de la Cruz, Ronelyn Bulala and Aisa Sese were charred beyond recognition.

Estomo said the Masbate police received a report at around 1:15 p.m. that an explosion ripped through the house of Recto.

The injured, two of them boys aged seven and 12, were brought to the Balud Municipal Hospital for treatment.

Probers are investigating how the victims got hold of the dynamite, which is used for illegal fishing in the province.