LAOAG CITY, Sept. 14–Noemi Fiesta, 51, a laundry woman, was killed instantly while her husband Cresencio, 55, chief tanod, was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded this morning in their house at Brgy. 22, Ermita Hill, this city, police said.
The couple’s daughter was spared from the blast. She went hysterical and avoided reporters as her mother’s bloodied body was covered with a blanket.
Senior Supt. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., provincial police director, said the explosive was placed inside an empty Mayonaise jar, sealed with masking tape and wrapped in a plastic bag.
Investigation showed that Cresencio, also a tricycle driver, saw the strange object earlier lying outside of their gate as he drove some students to the school early this morning.
When he returned home, the object was still there prompting him to get it and gave it to his wife who was standing on their porch.
Curious about the content, she tried to open but it apparently fell to the floor and exploded.
Noemi heavily absorbed the shrapnel and died on the spot while Cresencio’s left hand and feet were wounded.
The blast ‘s strong impact ruined parts of the porch. Their tricycle parked nearby also caught fire when the shrapnel hit its gas tank.
Cresencio’s condition was stable and declared him out of danger, Dr. Roger Braceros, GRASMHospital chief, said at press time. “We want to save his severed fingers,” he added.
Supt. Edwin Balles, city police chief, said that aside from other clues, investigators were initially looking into the land dispute angle as may be the motive behind the blast.
However, relatives and neighbors told the media that the Fiesta family is peace-loving and has no known enemy. (Tri-Media report)
*Photo credit to the owner
