ISABELA CITY: Two minors were killed while another was hurt when an unexploded grenade launcher ordnance they were playing with accidentally exploded in a village of Al Barka town, according to the police. The police said the explosion occurred about 4pm on Wednesday at Sitio Pagtawanan, Barangay Magkawa killing a nine-year old and his six-year old sister while their 14-year-old uncle was wounded. Basilan provincial police director Senior Superintendent Mario Dapillosa said investigation disclosed that the nine-year-old discovered the unexploded ordnance of 400mm grenade launcher round at sitio Pagtawanan. The victim reportedly brought the round of ordnance to their house and played with it together with his sister. However, minutes later the unexploded ordnance exploded killing the two victims and seriously wounded their uncle.
Not guilty plea in murder trial
MANILA: Former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr, sons Zaldy and Andal Jr, and the 75 other co-accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre pleaded not guilty to the murder of Reynaldo Momay, the 58th victim. The remains of Momay, a photojournalist for the local paper Midland Review, have not been found. The justice department said although Momay’s body was not found at the crime site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, there is sufficient evidence that he was part of the convoy. Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes said there was probable cause to support the charges against the accused for the murder.
5.4 magnitude quake hits Luzon
Manila: An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale jolted Luzon yesterday, the US Geological Survey said. The epicentre, with a depth of 12.80 km, was initially determined to be at 17.7577 degrees north latitude and 120.9025 degrees east longitude. There was no information about the damage.
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