Grenade hanging from tree wounds 3 soldiers

By Freddie G. Lazaro

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — A grenade booby-trapped from a branch of a tree on the roadside exploded and wounded three soldiers traveling in a military through Barangay Bacsayan, Sta. Cruz town, this province April 18.

Police identified the wounded as Master Sergeant Narciso Aromin, 48; Technical Sgt. Carlos Luna, 47; and Private First Class (Pfc) Jerwin Alvarez, all members of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion (81IB) based in Barangay Bugbuga in Sta. Cruz.

It was reported that the victims were aboard a KM 250 truck moving along the road in Barangay Bacsayan when a hand grenade hanging from the branch of an Ipil-ipil tree exploded when their vehicle passed by it.

The injured soldiers were rushed to a hospital in Candon City for their treatment.

Both Senior Supt. Nestor Felix, Police Provincial Office director, and Lieutenant Colonel Jason Bajet, 81IB commander, believe the explosion was the handiwork of remnants of the New People’s Army operating in the Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur (AMPIS) area

Meanwhile, the Provincial Peace and Order Council, chaired by Gov. Ryan Luis Singson, called for an emergency meeting this week to tackle the security incident.