TACLOBAN CITY (Updated) -- An explosion from a still undetermined source killed two and injured two others in Laoang, Northern Samar on Thursday night, November 22.
Police said the blast happened around 10 p.m. at the house of a certain Natalia Capas, a resident of Barangay Bobolosan, Laoang.
The fatalities were identified as Romeo "Ome" Inocentes, 40, and Norberto "Gaga" Solana, 27, both residents of Barangay Burabod, San Antonio, Northern Samar.
Injured were Jun jun Simbugan Donato, 32, driver, and Nilo Cuanico, a farmer and resident of Purok 9 Poblacion, Lope De Vega, Northern Samar.
According to Laoang police, the house was rented by Dario Bolanda Ayes, 55, a resident of Poblacion 9, Lope De Vega, Northern Samar.
Ayes, based on initial investigation, is a retired policeman, said Superintendent Ma. Bella Rentuaya, the Philippine National Police regional spokesperson.
But the San Antonio police said Ayes went on absence without leave (Awol) and has been a subject of monitoring by local police for his "dynamite manufacturing" business.
Ayes was arrested by Laoang police on Friday, November 23, after the explosion.
The Explosive Ordnance Division of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office is yet to determine the cause of the blast.
Recovered from the area were a sack of detonating cord, undetermined number of improvised blasting caps, and undetermined number of time fuse.
The police are still investigating the incident. (With LMY/SunStar Philippines)