Cops arrest militia in Sibugay grenade blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY(PNA) -- The police have arrested a militiaman who was responsible for a grenade-throwing incident that killed a plantation worker and injured four persons, including a woman, in Zamboanga Sibugay province.Senior Supt. Jose Bayani Gucela, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, identified the arrested suspect as Nelson Andos, 37, a member of the militia force in Barangay Mahayag, Siay town.Gucela said Andos was arrested in a follow-up operation around 10:30 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Mahayaha, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay three hours after the grenade-throwing incident.Gucela said the incident stemmed from a heated argument involving Andos and Tito Urbano, 54, a rubber plantation worker.Gucela said that suddenly, Urbano, armed with a caliber .38 revolver, went to his backyard and indiscriminately fired into the air which prompted Andos to tell him to stop firing.Gucela said that investigation showed that Urbano shot Andos three times, hitting the militiaman in the chest and left lower arm.However, he said Andos, despite being wounded, managed to go home and lobbed a grenade into the house of Urbano upon his return.He said that Urbano was killed in the grenade blast and four others were injured namelyand Juliet Ramos Urbano, 50, a housekeeper Dolsito Andos, 50 Johny Andos, 39 and, Vevencio Paster, 52, all farmers.He said Andos and the victims are admitted at the hospital.He said policemen were guarding Andos at the hospital to prevent his escape. (PNA)LAP/TPGJR/PJN