Man loses arm in bomb explosion
A man's right arm was blown into pieces when an improvised bomb accidentally exploded in Sitio Datag, Barangay Buagsung, Cordova town, Cebu Friday afternoon.
The 33-year-old alleged bomb maker, Alejandro Novo Pil, was severely injured after his improvised explosive device (IED) blew up in his rented room. Shrapnel tore through his right hand and arm.
Pil was allegedly assembling an IED when it exploded, said Police Senior Inspector Janus Giangan, Cordova Police Station chief.
He suffered several wounds to different parts of his body, but is now recuperating at a government-run hospital in Cebu City.
Pil has been placed under hospital arrest.
He will also be facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm and AmmunitionAct and Republic Act 9516 or the Illegal Possession of Explosive.
Two unlicensed firearms (one .45 pistol loaded with six live ammunition, and one .357 revolver loaded with four live ammunition); one bullet of caliber .50; one home-made IED; and bomb-making components, including three plastic bags each containing half a kilo of ammonium nitrate and one-fourth kilo of common nail, were recovered from the suspect.
The chemicals are set to be examined at the police's crime laboratory.
Police Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office7 director, said they are digging into the incident to figure out why Pil was making an IED.
A background check on the suspect will also be made to determine if he has been involved in previous crimes.
Sinas, however, said people have nothing to worry about.
"Wala ta kahibawo kung unsaon niya ang bomba. Basin gamiton sa pagpangisda lang diay to. Dili angayang ikabalaka kay aduna may mga police sa lugar. Ato pud kini imbestigahan," he said.
Based on initial investigation, Pil's neighbors told police that the suspect was with two other people when the bomb exploded.
The two unidentified persons, however, immediately fled and left the bleeding Pil.
Pil's live-in partner Janica Sotto, who was resting inside their room, was left unharmed.
"Nagrenta ra sila sa gamay ra nga kwarto, more or less one month pa sila diha according sa mga silingan. Ang kani daw suspect kay di daw ni magpirmi sa balay, magsigi og lakaw niya usahay gabii na mauli. Ang iyang livein partner kay i-lock na niya sa balay. Mao ilang awayan kay dili siya pahibaw-on og asa muadto," said Giangan.
Sotto told police that she had no idea about the IED until the explosion happened.
"I-lock daw ni siya (Sotto) sa kwarto basta naa ang iyang (Pil) mga amigo maong wala siya kahibalo unsa ang ilang buhaton," Giangan said.
Moreover, Sinas has called on barangay officials to monitor and check on new residents.
"Kun naay mamatikdan nga dili taga inyuha, please coordinate with the police for a background check. Mas maayo mangandam," he said. —
Ermida Q. Moradas/KBQ