Lim to seek NBI help in probe into blasts

CEBU, Philippines — Controversial Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim will seek the help of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in relation to the recent explosions in one of his business establishments in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City last Thursday dawn.

“Ang akong nahibaw-an is Mr. Lim is planning to go to the NBI to request (them) to help in the investigation,” said Dioscoro Fuentes, Lim’s spokesperson.

Fuentes, however, reiterated that Lim is confident and trusted the investigation conducted by the PNP, particularly by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

NBI-7 Director Patricio Bernales Jr. said that they welcome any request will be made by the camp of Lim in their office to help in the investigation.

However, he stressed out that they will still study it since it involves explosions and there is a proper unit that handles such cases.

“Wala pa man niduol (Lim) but tan-awon lang nato. Ang nahitabo man gud kay explosion, ang nakabalo ana sila ang kanang makahibawo imbestiga og explosives ba. Nabal-an unsa ang gigamit, unsay klase, so dili ta ka diri-dritso dili man to ordinary nga pampabuto. Ang nakahibalo ana ang EOD)...tan-awon nato unsa atong matan-aw sa iyang kaso,” said Bernales.

The authorities have found that the pieces of items used in creating an improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded at the heavy equipment dealer Hilton Motors Corp. owned by Peter Lim was a low-powered type of explosive.

Chief Inspector Mercy Villaro, information officer of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), said it was made of gunpowder, which cannot create a wide explosion or cannot damage an entire property.

This was the result of the case conference held last Thursday with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and K9 Group at the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.

"Mao to nga low-powered nga klase sa explosive nga gipa-explode didto sa area. More on pulbura lang gyod and no particles nga metal. IED siya pero pinaka low-powered lang," Villaro explained.

On Thursday dawn, two sounds of explosions were reported at the heavy equipment display center situated in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

One of the security guards of the display center told police that the explosions were heard first from the power supply and seconds later, from the bumper of a mini dump truck.

Villaro, however, said that the perpetrators behind the incident may have attempted to scare or to give threats to the owners of the display center, but with no intention to kill.

The police remained clueless about the identity of the perpetrators.

Villaro said the perpetrators may have initially known that the display center has security personnel around, the reason why they pursued their plan at 2 in the morning.

Since one of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the Bantay Mandaue Command Center failed to function starting last Wednesday, Villaro said the display center has surveillance cameras and that they have to request the management for it.

"They have daw inside sa office ug sa display area but subject for request gihapon nato, request for extraction of the copy of their CCTV footage," she said, adding that the management is willing to coordinate with them.

Since business was earlier stated by MCPO Director Roberto Alanas as the motive of the incident, the labor dispute of the company is also a possible reason behind the explosion.

Villaro clarified, however, that they are open to other possible angles since the investigation is ongoing.

"Palawman sa investigation kung tinuod ba gyud. Open ta for any other motives, palapdan pa gyud nato," she said.

MCPO is willing to provide security assistance to Lim and his family or the establishment if they ask for it, and if they will, they will go through a threat assessment.

"As long as naay threat sa person or sa establishment, we'll provide security, depende sa threat assessment," Villaro said.

Earlier, Alanas assured that the incident was considered an isolated case and the EOD-K9 dismissed information that it was part of a terrorist attack.

The explosion happened six days after the New Infinity KTV & Music Lounge along Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City, allegedly owned by Lim, was set on fire by two unknown men.

Fuentes, Jr. has earlier denied that Lim and his brother Wellington owned the bar.  Lim was among the personalities tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Absolutely, we reiterate our trust and confidence on the competence of the PNP in investigating the case,” Fuentes added.

When asked whether they will seek police security, Fuentes said that he still have no idea yet.

He, however, said that they also believed that the explosion incidents were more on just to scare or threaten the businessman. — GAN (FREEMAN)