SPD, AFP to trace source of grenades that killed housewife

MANILA, Philippines - The Southern Police District (SPD) has formally coordinated with the respective logistic commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an effort to trace the source of the grenades placed in a gift that killed a housewife in Taguig City last week.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Jose Arne de los Santos said the woman who brought the gift bomb to the old house of the victim, Yvonne Chua, 31, would be a key to the solution of the case but stressed that the source of the grenades would also be a big help.

“But it would take several days for us to receive a copy of their report,” said De los Santos, referring to the AFP and PNP logistics commands.

Chua was killed by an M23 grenade that exploded while she was opening the gift in the sala of their house in a posh subdivision in Taguig City last Wednesday.

Responding policemen recovered two more M23 and two other MK2 unexploded grenades in the victim’s house.

De los Santos said it will take some time for investigators to identify the source of the grenades because “these were not issued individually but to certain police or military units.”

“We are hoping that the logistic commands of the AFP and PNP have kept records so they can furnish us with the needed reports,” said De los Santos, adding that the source of the grenades could also speed up their investigation of the case.

Chua received death threats in 2008 and SPD investigators are looking at this as among the angles along with business, old grudge and squabble over properties.

De los Santos said his men are presently conducting surveillance on the woman who brought the gift to the Chua’s compound in Parañaque City.

A police artist has produced a sketch of the woman as described by the security guard who received the gift. Chua’s driver fetched the gift the following day and brought it to her new residence in Taguig City, where it exploded.

“We are closing in on the woman who may play a key role in our solution to Chua’s slaying,” De los Santos told The STAR.