NCRPO chief blames ‘negligence’ for Makati blast

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias declared yesterday that “negligence” was the cause of a powerful explosion in Glorietta 2 shopping mall that left 11 dead and over a hundred wounded.

Barias said civil and criminal charges could be filed against those responsible for the basement area in the Glorietta mall where the blast occurred on Oct. 19.

Asked by reporters if the blast could be blamed on an accident, Barias replied, “negligence would be a better term.”

“We will now determine in the next stage who is responsible for the 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries,” Barias told reporters.

The explosion was likely caused by a mixture of gases in the basement, possibly from a malfunctioning septic tank or a diesel tank, he said.

Barias said police and foreign investigators agreed the explosion was not caused by a bomb and cited a report by the Australian Federal Police team that helped investigate the blast.

The Australian team, which has since left the country, concluded that there was “no evidence to suggest that the explosion had been caused or initiated by an improvised explosive device,” said Barias.

The Australians ended their investigation after concluding it was not an act of terrorism, he added.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. earlier said the foreign experts who helped police investigators in the explosion two weeks ago have ruled out the possibility of a terror attack.

Razon said the foreign investigators have furnished him a copy of the report which corroborated the police theory of a gas leak explosion.

Razon told a forum yesterday that the PNP will finish its investigation on the blast within the week.

While police investigators have yet to retrieve the submersible pump in the basement in order to conclude their investigation, Razon maintained that “based on the preponderance of evidence such as the tank, blasting of slab, presence of electrical switches, batteries, motor, circuit breakers, leakage in the septic tank supports the theory that this was an accident.”

Razon recalled during the third day of the investigation after they had pumped out all the water in the basement, he was surprised to see a diesel tank there.

He said the diesel tank was located near a motor and a battery on top of a leaking septic vault which contributed to the deadly mix that triggered the explosion.

Razon said they have to rule out a bomb in the absence of any telltale signs to support the theory of a terror attack.

As to initial reports of traces of RDX, a component of the explosive C-4 gathered at the scene, Razon explained it could have emanated from deodorant or aerosol sprays.

Finding the spark

Barias, designated spokesman for the police investigating the blast, said probers are doing another check on the submersible pump on the possibility that it could have induced the spark that ignited the volatile mixture of gases in the basement.

“We will be subjecting the submersible pump to another test. The objective really is to come up with a complete story. We still have to establish one vital thing. Where did the spark come from?” Barias said, adding the PNP is open to a congressional probe into the incident.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon earlier said he would initiate a congressional investigation on reports that the explosion was deliberately planned.

“Whatever is the concern of Rep. Biazon, leave that to him. Let Congress do what is proper,” Barias said.

Barias stressed the investigation has yet to wrap up. “As much as possible we have to convince the court later on that this is what happened,” he said.

“If in the end the investigation will show that the blast was caused by gas explosion with certainty, then a case of negligence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple serious physical injuries (will be filed) against those responsible,” Barias said.

Barias assured the filing of criminal and civil liabilities will come after the investigators wrap up their investigation.

At the same time, Barias said no other agency but the PNP is officially handling the case.

He said the presence of foreign experts and other agencies at the blast site was needed to assist the police.

“Our counterparts – the Australian Federal Police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – are one with us in the investigation. They were there as part of the investigation process and team,” he said.

‘We will wait’

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the owners and operators of Glorietta mall, earlier debunked police theories of an accidental blast, insisting that the facility was in order.

ALI spokesman Alfonso Reyes said they will still wait for the official report on the incident before issuing any statements.

“We will wait for the issuance of their official report before making any reaction to whatever their findings are,” Reyes said.

“We are hoping that the PNP will release its report on the blast as soon as possible so that we will be able to evaluate the findings and be able to come up with a response,” he said.

Reyes said ALI will conduct its own investigation into the incident.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay also wanted to conduct a separate investigation.

Binay said an independent investigation body will determine the cause of the explosion.

“We have a lot of suggested names both local and foreign who have the expertise needed to carry out an independent, reliable, competent and impartial investigation on the matter,” Binay said.

Twelve days after the explosion, ALI has yet to extend financial assistance, some of the victims claimed.

One of the victims, Henry Montenegro of Bangkal, Makati City, said ALI has only shouldered their hospitalization immediately following the explosion.

“Except for the hospitalization, Ayala Land has not extended anything to us yet. They have not yet given us the financial assistance that they have promised immediately after the incident,” he said. – AFP, Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano