5 hurt in Davao City grenade attack

DAVAO CITY -- At least five persons were injured when a grenade exploded along the Davao - Bukidnon highway in Calinan on Thursday afternoon.Initial investigation showed that the grenade was lobbed by two unidentified motorcycle riding suspects into the vehicle carrying Lamanan village leader Nicanor Pepito and his employees.Pepito, however, picked up the grenade and threw it on the road where it exploded.Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office said Pepito and his employees were on their way to Calinan when they were attacked.Dela Rey said the explosion injured bystanders Argie Semiel Balele, 29, married, a treasurer of Barangay Lamanan Jayson Ambon Agiw, 20, a resident of Balengaeng, Tugbok District Jose Martel Entero, 44, a resident of Manambulan, Toril Juveto Cozepiriano, 30, a resident of Balengaeng, Tugbok and, Antonio Felix Jaranilla, 35, a barangay tanod of Barangay Lamanan.Two of Pepito's staff were injured when they jumped out of the vehicle when the grande was thrown.Mayor Sara Duterte has ordered DCPO Director Michael John Dubria to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Rest assured, the police is on top of this isolated incident, Mayor Sara said.She reassured the public there is no reason to worry about the security in Davao City. This is purely isolated, the mayor added. (PNA)