MANILA — Three minors and an 85-year-old woman were killed after a rifle grenade exploded in Barangay Sinamar, Roxas, Isabela on Sunday morning.
According to PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co, the minors were playing in the area when one of them picked up an identified object from a small canal located nearby.
"Around seven of them were playing in the area. At 'yung isa po ay merong nakitang isang bagay na dinampot niya. Another tragic incident na turned out to be a rifle grenade, at ito po ay sumabog," Co said.
One of the minors died at the scene, while the three others were rushed to a medical facility but were declared dead on arrival.
Four other minors were injured in the explosion and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Based on a police report, the elderly victim was reportedly passing by the area with her granddaughter on their way to church when she was hit by the blast.
Police said the rifle grenade appeared to be old and heavily rusted.
"We are already verifying where this came from. Initial reports that we received, ito po ay kalawangin na, lumang-luma na rifle grenade," Co said.
Authorities are looking into whether the area had a history of armed conflict, raising the possibility that the grenade may have been fired but failed to explode and had remained in the area for years.
However, Co said experts from the police Explosive Ordnance Disposal units would have to determine what caused the grenade to detonate.
The police Women and Children Protection Desk is also interviewing witnesses, in the presence of their parents, to determine where the rifle grenade came from and how the children acquired it.
The PNP reminded the public not to touch or move suspicious objects, particularly those that may be explosive.
Co urged the public to immediately report such items to adults and the nearest police station and to keep a safe distance while waiting for authorities.
"Better na po na it turns out na hindi pala explosive kaysa hindi natin i-report," he said.