LAMBAYONG, Sultan Kudarat–Police here have launched a massive manhunt against a man who shot dead a teenager and injured 21 others in a grenade attack during a birthday party Wednesday evening.
Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat Police director, said a still unidentified attacker shot dead Jerome Balaba, 15, at about 9 p.m. in front of the Manzano residence in Barangay Palumbe, where a debut party was being held.
Balaba allegedly confronted a motorist, who just arrived at the birthday bash, for wearing a facemask and acting suspiciously, Supiter said.
The confrontation angered the assailant who pulled a .45-caliber pistol and opened fire on Balaba, killing him instantly.
Supiter said the gunman also pulled a fragmentation grenade and tossed it at the front yard of the Manzano residence where party guests also gathered.
He said all the injured victims were guests at the debut party of a certain Erica Bumatay.
Responding policemen rushed the victims to various hospitals here and in neighboring Tacurong City.
Police, backed by elements of the Army’ 33rd Infantry Battalion, immediately launched a manhunt against the attacker, who fled on a motorbike heading toward Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
