Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Farmer killed in grenade explosion By Ben O. Tesiorna
A 41-YEAR-old farmer was killed while two others were wounded when a grenade exploded outside their residence in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato Monday evening.
The fatality was identified as Edward Federico, of Barangay Midpapan, who succumbed to shrapnel wounds in different parts of the body.
Those wounded were Federico's parents -- Salvador, 70, and Linda, 63.
Police, quoting witnesses, said that unidentified men, who were onboard a motorcycle, passed by Federico's house and hurled a fragmentation grenade before speeding away at around 7 p.m. Monday.
When the grenade exploded, it almost ripped Federico's body, said Sr. Insp. Ruby Labio, Pigcawayan police chief.
Federico's wife was in shock and could not think of any reason for the killing.
Investigators are still trying to determine the motive for the attack.
Pigcawayan is said to be a rebel-infested area. A few weeks ago, the New People's Army accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines of harassing residents there and arresting them without any warrants.
The military however denied this and accused the NPA of recruiting civilians in Pigcawayan to join the communist group.
In Shariff Kabungsuwan, meanwhile, a fish vendor was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman at around noon Monday.
Samsudin Bangin was driving his motorcycle along the national highway in Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabungsuwan when someone shot at him using a caliber .45 pistol.
Police said personal grudge could be the motive behind the killing.
