Blast kills one, hurts 18 in opening day of fiesta

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – One person was killed while 18 others were wounded due to a grenade explosion near the Tabuk City Hall in Kalinga on June 22, marring the first year anniversary celebration of Tabuk’s cityhood. 

The explosion occurred just as people were preparing for the lined up events scheduled Monday, which includes the skills and jobs fair near the City Hall in Barangay Dagupan. 

Reports released by the Cordillera police regional command revealed that the grenade blast happened at around 10:30 a.m. last Sunday just within the peri-meter of City Hall. 

Police identified the lone fatality as one Redentor Bayangan. 

Those wounded were named as Joel Bayangan, Joel Tabanganay, Peter Mamawag, Ronnie Valdez, Franklin Tuddao, William Degay, Florencio Pagala, Aldrin Ayangco, Geofrey Liagao, Samuel Anog, Aldrin Agod, Enrique Yayaen, Tyson Baluwang, Rodrigo Caddawan, Joel Manacnis, Gilbert Gubiangan, Gaspar Dusag, and Orodio Dumaguing. 

All the victims were rushed by rescuers to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, St. Jude Hospital, and Family Clinic, police reported. 

Cordillera police director C/Supt. Eugene Martin said that the Tabuk City Police Office is still conducting an investigation to determine the real motive of the grenade blast and to possibly establish the identity of the suspect or possible cohorts. 

The grenade blast incident failed to dampen the staging of events prepared for the celebration of the first year anniversary of Tabuk City and the 7th staging of the Matagoan festival.