Police arrested a man who was allegedly found with a hand grenade while attempting to board a train in Cubao, Quezon City, Saturday night.
On Sunday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo presented to the media the suspect identified as Christian Guzman, 29, a native of Isabela and resident of Baliwag, Bulacan.
Initial investigation revealed that Guzman tried to enter Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 Araneta Center-Cubao Station in Barangay San Martin de Porres around 7:10 p.m. when a hand grenade was detected inside his backpack through an x-ray machine.
On-duty guard Ana Mae Burlaza accosted Guzman and sought assistance from elements of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) detailed at the Police Assistance Desk (PAD) in the area.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) conducted a safe rendering procedure in the area.
The explosive, which was identified as an MK2 fragmentation grenade, was wrapped with a packaging tape and stuffed inside a cellphone box, Eleazar said.
Guzman claimed he was supposed to hand the grenade to his brother who is an active soldier — a corporal assigned in Tagaytay City. He claimed the grenade was brought by his brother when he went home in December 2018.
Guzman explained that he wanted to keep the grenade out of the reach of his father who tends to boast it off when he gets drunk.
He also said he has no intention to detonate the grenade, the reason why it was sealed with a tape and placed in a box.
However, Eleazar scolded Guzman since unauthorized carrying of explosives in public places is a grave violation of the law.
Further investigation will also be conducted to determine the veracity of Guzman’s claims, the Metro Manila top cop added.
“Alam naman natin na naghihigpit tayo not only sa MRT stations but also in other vital installations for the reason na what happened in Mindanao. Itong explosions and bombings there, ayaw natin mangyari dito,” Eleazar said in a press briefing in Quezon City
Eleazar said a coordination was also made with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to investigate whether Guzman’s brother was authorized to have a grenade and why he was able to sneak it out from the camp where he belongs to.
Guzman was brought to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) detention facility and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9516 or illegal possession of explosives, a non-bailable offense which has a penalty of reclusion perpetua or 20 years and more imprisonment.
On the other hand, Eleazar commended the security at the MRT-3 station for the discovery of the grenade.
Two weeks ago, Eleazar recommended to the management of the MRT and Light Rail Transit (LRT) to thoroughly check all the liquids that are being allowed inside the train stations following the recent bomb attacks in Mindanao. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
