Teen killed, 21 injured in Sultan Kudarat grenade attack

LAMBAYONG, Sultan
Kudarat -- Police here have launched a massive manhunt against a man
who shot dead a 15-year-old teen and injured 21 others in a grenade attack
during a birthday party Wednesday night.

Senior Supt.
Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police director, said a suspect shot dead Jerome
Balaba, 15 at past 9 p.m. in front of Manzano residence in Barangay Palumbe,
Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat were a debut party was being held.

Supiter said
Balaba allegedly confronted a motorist who just arrived in the birthday bash
for wearing face mask and acting suspiciously. This angered the suspect who
pulled a cal. 45 pistol and opened fire on Balaba, killing him instantly.

Supiter said
the gunman also pulled a fragmentation grenade and tossed it in front of
Manzano residence.

Supiter said
all the injured victims were guests of a debut party for Erica Bumatay.

Responding
police rushed the victims to various hospitals in Lambayong and in nearby
Tacurong City.

Police, backed by
elements of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, have launched a manhunt
against the suspect who fled on motorbike heading toward Sultan sa Barongis,
Maguindanao.