ORMOC CITY— Authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind a grenade attack on the establishment of a barangay chairman on October 23, in Barangay Poblacion, Albuera, Leyte.
Police identified the victim as Walter Taripe, 53, married, and barangay captain of Barangay Salvacion, who owns a canteen and vulcanizing shop located in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Poblacion.
According to the police report, three grenades were thrown at around 2:00 a.m., causing two explosions that damaged parts of the establishment — including the air-conditioning unit, roof, and a Ford Ranger owned by Taripe. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Responding police officers immediately secured the area and called in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) teams to process the site.
Initial investigation revealed that Taripe’s family and employees were asleep inside the building when they were awakened by two successive explosions — one near the vulcanizing shop and another near the canteen. The third grenade, reportedly wrapped in masking tape, failed to detonate.
Taripe promptly reported the incident to the Albuera Municipal Police Station, which has since launched a thorough investigation to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
(ROBERT DEJON)
