Grenade explosion rocks Camp Aguinaldo

Soldier, wife quarrel probed

MANILA, Philippines — A grenade exploded yesterday at the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, leaving a soldier, his wife and their 11-year-old son injured.  

Both military and police investigators are looking into reports that a quarrel between S/Sgt. Larry de Guzman and his wife, Erliza, triggered the grenade blast.

Erliza and her son suffered shrapnel wounds from a hand grenade. They were taken to the V. Luna Hospital for treatment, according to AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

De Guzman also suffered injuries. His five-year-old daughter was not hurt in the explosion.

Arevalo said the explosion occurred at the apartment unit being occupied by De Guzman, an enlisted personnel assigned with the Home Affairs Office at the General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command, at around 6:20 a.m.

“We are giving the necessary assistance to the family,” Arevalo said, adding that the incident appeared to have emanated from a domestic problem.

Probers said De Guzman and his wife engaged in a heated argument prior to the explosion.

“There were indications that the wife caused the explosion as De Guzman tried to leave their house,” Arevalo said.