Grenade blast rocks Shell gas station in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12): Grenade blast rocks Shell gas station in North Cotabato

A gas station worker was injured when unidentified men tossed a hand grenade at the Shell Gas Station along the national highway here at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police provincial director, in his report to Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 director, said the blast slightly injured Jay Salac, 34, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Pikit.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr, speaking for PRO-12, said the victim who sustained injuries on his elbow was rushed to Cadulong emergency hospital.

Galgo said post blast investigation conducted by Pikit bomb experts showed the explosive used by still unidentified men was a fragmentation grenade based on pieces of evidence recovered at the site.

"A safety lever was found in the perimeter of the gas station," Galgo said, adding that investigation was still going on.

Police are reviewing the gas station's CCTV footage that captured the suspects.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last week, the barangay hall of Barangay Poblacion was also subjected to grenade attack by still unidentified motorcycle-riding men. Fortunately, the explosive failed to go off.

Earlier, Mayor Sumulong Sultan has asked the Phillippine National Police for augmentation force as crimes are on the rise in the town due to intensified police operations against illegal drugs.

Police could not say if the grenade attack at the gas station was part of extortion activities of lawless elements.

"Investigation is still on going as to the motive," Galgo said.

The Shell gas station is only a stone's throw away from the Community Police Action Center (COMPACT) detachment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=954611