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Friday, November 18, 2005
Explosives caused mine cave-in: police
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The October 26 cave-in in Mt. Diwalwal that killed 32 people was caused by explosives, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 Explosives Ordnance Division reported Thursday.
Senior Superintendent Samuel Navaja, PRO 11 deputy regional director for operations, said post-blast investigators recovered detonating cords and blasting caps inside the tunnel.
Navaja said these are strong indications the cave-in might have been caused by an explosion inside the tunnel contrary to claims of JB Management and Mining Corporation (JBMMC) that a cave-in happened first before the explosion.
"Supported by the laboratory results, there are positive indications of explosives use. Plus we have statements of witnesses. I believe yung nasa kamay natin na mga ebidensya (the pieces of evidence we have) are more than enough," Navaja said.
He said autopsy reports on at least five of the estimated 32 miners who died in the accident also showed the cause of death was asphyxia due to inhalation of smoke coming from explosive components.
Navaja, however, refused to identify what particular explosive components were found inside the tunnel.
Traces of Anfo
But an explosives expert, who went inside the tunnel, earlier told Sun.Star Davao he smelled traces of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (Anfo) mixture in the air.
A total of 14 forensic experts from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division, PNP Crime Laboratory, and PRO-EOD led by senior police officer Miguel Vicente conducted the two-week investigation.
Navaja described their investigation report as "solid and fair."
Asked where the explosives could have come from and how were they able to transport them, Navaja said it is a "mystery" that remains unanswered.
Use of explosives in Diwalwal mining was banned by the National Government after it took over the operation in the gold rush mountain almost two years ago.
Navaja said they have 15 recommendations in their report on how to prevent another cave-in or similar incident from happening.
Among the recommendations were the strict implementation of the explosives ban, locate magazines and ammo dumps inside the tunnels, and closure of certain areas of the tunnels identified as high-risk areas.
Asked if they will be filing charges against the JBMMC for allegedly using explosives in their mining operation, Navaja said they will "further evaluate" their evidence before making any move against the mining firm.
The report is set to be submitted Friday before the Task Force Diwalwal headed by Mindanao Affairs Secretary Jesus Dureza tasked by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the October 26 incident.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales is flying in Friday to attend the meeting.
JBMMC officials vehemently denied using explosives in their operations. JBMMC vice president Reynaldo Española earlier said the blasting caps recovered could have been remnants of their past operations back when explosives use was not yet banned by the National Government.
Sun.Star Davao tried getting the reaction of JBMMC regarding the result on the post blast investigation but in vain. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(November 18, 2005 issue)
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