Deadly game

3 teens die after throwing grenade in fire

THREE teenagers were killed when an M203 grenade exploded after they threw it into a fire in Purok 9, Barangay Daliaon Plantation, Toril district on Sunday around 4 p.m.

 Chief Insp.  Jerome de Guzman, the commander of Toril Police Precinct, identified the victims as playmates Aljen Verano Alagenio, 13; Rain John Verano Alagenio, 15; and Julio Leoberos Limposanan, 17.

 The Alagenios, both students, were residents of Purok 5 while Limposanan was from Purok 9, in the barangay.

 According to the report, the victims allegedly found an M203 grenade inside a relative’s farm in Purok 9.

 They reportedly threw the grenade in an open fire, causing it to explode that resulted in their death.

 “Gisugba (they roasted it),” de Guzman was quoted reports.

 The victims’ bodies now lie at Villa Funeral Parlor in Mcleod, Toril.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered another M203 grenade head in the area. It was turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Unit of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for disposal.

 In an interview at the DCPO yesterday, de Guzman said Myrna Mosqueda, the barangay captain of Daliaon Plantation, reported to them that there was an encounter between government troopers and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the said area a few months ago.

 “Based on our assessment, the victims just found the ammunition after the encounter,” de Guzman said. “It could have been fired but did not explode.”

 He said there was a report that the victims found the grenade a few days earlier, and it was only on Sunday that they played with it.