ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (July 28, 2025) — A powerful explosion rattled a residential area in Sitio Lantawan, Barangay Pasonanca early Monday morning after a grenade was thrown into the property of a known local contractor.
According to police reports, the blast occurred at around 3:22 AM at the residence of Melvin Quintos y Tan, 49, president of La Constratistas De la Ciudad de Zamboanga. The explosion caused significant damage to the front yard, a glass window, and nearby plants. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage reviewed by authorities showed two unidentified individuals fleeing the area shortly after the explosion. Initial investigations suggest that the attack may have been triggered by a personal grudge, although officials are not discounting other possible motives, including connections to the contractor’s work or recent political events.
Quintos was a known supporter of Mayor Khymer Olaso during the last elections. The mayor, who rushed to the scene shortly after the incident, strongly condemned the attack.
“This is a barbaric act, and we will not allow this in Zamboanga City,” Olaso said in a statement during the City Hall’s flag-raising ceremony later that morning.
The mayor also expressed hope that the incident was not politically motivated, urging law enforcement to dig deep into the investigation and urging residents to remain vigilant.
“I hope this is not connected to the recent elections,” he said. “If the suspect or suspects are identified, we will exhaust all means to bring them to justice.”
The Zamboanga City Police and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit responded swiftly to the scene, securing the area and collecting evidence.
Mayor Olaso has ordered the police to conduct a thorough probe and arrest the suspects at the soonest possible time. He called on the public to cooperate with investigators by providing any information that could lead to the resolution of the case, assuring that all reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The investigation is ongoing.