Man yields grenade at Quezon City MRT3 station
By Martin Sadongdong
Police arrested a man, who allegedly had a hand grenade in his possession, while attempting to board the MRT 3 in Cubao, Quezon City Saturday evening.
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.
NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar speaks to Christian Guzman, 29, who was caught with a grenade after his bag was scanned at the MRT- Araneta Cubao Center where the suspect intended to ride. The suspect said that the grenade belonged to his brother who is a corporal in the AFP. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)
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) assigned at the Police Assistance Desk (PAD) in the area.
A safe rendering procedure was then conducted by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD)’s Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD).
The explosive, which was identified as an MK2 fragmentation grenade, was wrapped with packaging tape and stuffed inside a cellphone box, Eleazar said.
Guzman said was supposed to give 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 of it whenever he gets drunk.
He also said he had no intention to detonate the grenade, which was why it was sealed with 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 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 of the camp where he is stationed.
Guzman was brought to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) detention facility where he will be charged for 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 jail time.
On the other hand, Eleazar commended the security at the MRT-3 station which he said was the key to 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.
This led to the controversial banning of liquid materials at train stations. Eventually, the security procedures were adjusted, thus, allowing the entry of liquids after a thorough security check.