Household help killed in rifle grenade blast

By Jorge Hallare LEGAZPI CITY --- A rifle grenade explosion killed a 36-year-old female household helper while her companion was severely wounded in Iriga City on Friday (June 23) evening, a report reaching the headquarters of the Police Regional Office (PRO5) here said. Sr. Insp. Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said the victim, identified as Marites Capena, 36, was seated in front of a table around 7:30 p.m. on Friday in Barangay San Isidro in Iriga City when her companion in the house, Roy Tino, 48, arrived. “Tino held in his hand a rifle grenade that he picked up somewhere in their barangay,” said Calubaquib. She said Capena and Tino played with the grenade not knowing that it could explode. “Suddenly the grenade exploded, ripping apart Capena’s body while Tino was critically injured,” said Calubaquib. Capena was rushed to the Medical Mission Group Inc. in neighboring Nabua town, also in Camarines Sur, but was declared dead on arrival. Tino was rushed to the same health facility but later transferred to the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City because of his critical condition. The Iriga City Police Station is continuing with its investigation to determine how Tino managed to get hold of the rifle grenade, said Calubaquib. Capeno was a resident of Barangay Sta. East in nearby Buhi town in the province while Tino is a resident of Barangay San Nicolas, Iriga City.