NEWSFLASH

ALBAY FIESTA DANCE BOMBED, 13 DEAD

Legazpi City, April 16, 1999 - At least 13 have been reported killed by a bomb thrown at a fiesta dance between 12:30 and 1:30 in the morning yesterday at sitio Santo Niño, barangay Liguan of the town of Rapu-Rapu on Albay province's Batan Island, about three kilometers from Legazpi. More than 70 others were reported injured either by shrapnel or owing to the stampede that followed.

About 150 island residents and fiesta guests were in the thick of merriment when the explosion occurred.

Witnesses saw "a spark on the dance floor, followed by a big explosion."

"They were dancing when suddenly somebody hurled an explosive," said Col. Victor Deona, chief of regional police operations.

The identity of the bomb thrower remains and his motive remain unknown. Police have ruled out terrorists or communist rebels because the area is insurgency-free.

Bicol police director Chief Supt. Marcelo Navarro reported to National Police headquarters in Camp Crame that the dead were Mary Jane Bechayda, Efren Yasol, Margie Banadera, Victor Banadera, Diosdado Banadera Jr., Honoroso Miller, Bienvenido Banadera, William Butial, Nicanor Olocosa, Richard Blansu, Jose Bombales, Roger Sisu and Ticboy Biago.

Among the seriously injured was one police officer assigned to secure the dance, Senior Police Officer 2 Samuel Batas.

Some 50 of the victims are being treated at the Bicol hospital. Several others are in Rapu Rapu District Hospital.

National Police chief Deputy Director Gen. Roberto Lastimoso sent a team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Bomb Disposal Unit, and Scene of the Crime Office to help the Albay police.

It was the bloodiest violent incident that has ever occurred on Batan Island.

Investigators are eyeing personal grudge as the motive. They are interviewing the injured and others at the dance to determine if any of them had quarrelled with anyone.

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Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi