An eight-year-old boy was injured after an explosive was hurled near his house in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend.

Police said the explosion was supposedly intended for a construction foreman who lives near the boy’s residence.

Based on investigation, the suspect and his nephew confronted the foreman to demand the salary of the nephew, who works as a construction worker.

However, the foreman reportedly refused, explaining that the wages had not yet been released to him. This reportedly angered the suspect, who initially fired a shotgun before leaving the area with threats.

Later, the suspects returned on board a motorcycle and threw an explosive device near the foreman’s house, which went off and injured the boy.

“Sa naandan man gud, gusto niya nga siya ang mokuha sa sweldo sa mga tao, apan kato na panahona, gi-deny siya sa foreman nga nahatag na sa contractor ang pangsweldo sa mga tao nga iyang gusto kuhaon tungod nagreklamo na pud ang mga tao nga kulang ang moabot diha kanila,” Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Spokesperson, Capt. Emilita Simon, said.

Personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) unit are still examining the explosive, though it is initially believed to be a hand grenade.

“Kini nga explosive, under na karon sa examination sa atong EOD ug naghulat pa kita sa resulta kung unsa ang exact classification niini. Allegedly, usa kini ka hand grenade but wala pa ta’y full classification niini,” Simon said.

Authorities have identified the suspects, one of whom reportedly has an existing warrant of arrest for carnapping and allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.

The suspects are now being pursued.

“Immediately, girespondehan, hot pursuit operation ang gihimo sa atong kapulisan sa Police Station 8 ug mismo si City Director P/Col. Dexter Paje, miadto sa area of incident ug nagmando siya sa kapulisan on the ground,” Simon said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the foreman and the family of the boy for a statement, as of this writing.