Task force formed to probe Tondo grenade blast

The police have formed a task force to look into a grenade attack at a retired policeman's house in Tondo, Manila that killed a two-year-old girl last weekend. Radio dzBB reported Monday the Manila Police District also assured the family of the fatality that it will work to get justice for the girl. In an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, MPD chief, said the task force is headed by Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas. "Sila po ay magsasagawa ng imbestigasyon para matukoy [ang suspek] at masolve agad itong [insidente ng] paghagis ng granada (They will conduct an investigation to pinpoint [the suspects] and solve immediately this grenade-throwing incident)," Rongavilla said.

An unidentified man hurled a grenade at the house of retired Senior Inspector Olivio Arce along Wagas Street in Tondo last Saturday. Investigators are looking into whether the attack stemmed from Arce's work as a policeman. The grenade exploded, wounding Hillary Benito, who was playing in the neighborhood. Hillary died from her injuries Sunday morning. Also wounded was Hillary's 13-year-old aunt Maida Malinao. "Dalawang taon lang ang anak ko. Kung sino ka man makonsensya ka sa anak ko, walang ginawa ang anak ko sa iyo (My daughter was two years old. Whoever did this, I hope you get conscience-stricken. My daughter never did anything to harm you)," Hillar's mother Rowena lamented. — RSJ, GMANews.TV