Thursday, June 15, 2006
Traces of high explosives found in bombing sites
MANILA -- Bomb experts said cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and trinitrotoluene (TNT), both high explosives, were used as main components in explosive devices used in recent blasts in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Batangas, police said.
A chemical analysis conducted by the police crime laboratory on fragments and debris recovered from the explosion sites indicate traces of TNT from the scene of explosion aboard a police bus in Diliman, Quezon City, and aboard a junked van in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
On the other hand, a chemical analysis indicated that RDX was used in the explosion at the gate of the residence of suspected gambling lord Rodolfo Pineda and of his son Mayor Dennis Pineda in Lubao, Pampanga.
In the explosions in Batangas City and Lipa City recently, traces of TNT were also found, although both incidents have been ruled out as associated with the incidents in Metro Manila and Pampanga.
According to PNP spokesman Samuel D Pagdilao Jr., the latest developments are essential in the investigation.
Bomb experts and forensic investigators are reconstructing the improvised explosive devices to determine the "bomb signature" which may help investigators establish the profile of the people or group behind the incidents.
The investigators noted that all four bombings happened during the early hours of the morning and were intended to scare rather than harm innocent people since there were no casualties in those incidents.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Senator Sergio Osmeña III said Malacañang might have something to do with the spate of bombings that rocked Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Batangas.
Pimentel said the explosions could have been done intentionally to justify the immediate need for the approval of the anti-terror bill, which was declared urgent by Malacañang.
The anti-terror bill failed to get the nod of the Senate although it was one of the priority measures the Upper Chamber wanted to approve before the adjournment of the second regular session of Congress.
"That's probably one reason, the immediate passage of the anti-terror bill," he said, citing claims of government that the anti-terror bill will address terrorism.
But Pimentel said the passage of the bill will not ensure that terrorist activities such as bombings will be prevented as experienced by other countries.
"But they forgot that one of the most stringent rules versus terror are in place in Israel yet terror acts regularly hit Israel," the Senate minority leader said.
The bombings, most of which happened inside or near police stations, were being questioned by government critics since no single person died or was injured in the blasts.
"The bombings of places, including Camp Bagong Diwa, were not a handiwork of legitimate opposition. I challenge the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the military to identify, arrest, prosecute, punish the culprits according to law," Pimentel said.
Senator Osmeña echoed Pimentel's sentiment that the explosions might be the handiwork of Malacañang. "It could be GMA (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) laying basis for repressive measures."
He recalled that during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, a spate of bombings also happened to justify the imposition of Martial Law.
Malacañang, meanwhile, is confident that authorities would soon be able to identify and arrest those responsible for the bombings, which the Arroyo administration believes are aimed at sowing fear among the people and portraying a destabilized atmosphere in the country.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the police are on top of the investigations and they would soon make public their findings.
Bunye assured the public the incidents would not lead to the imposition again of a state of emergency as some militant groups feared.
Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said the situation last February is different and far from the present situation to justify the declaration of another state of emergency.
Claudio also said the government had nothing to do with the bomb scare but accusations like that are expected to come from the opposition.
"These bombings are artificial and superficial, it has no capability or strength to alarm us. Let's wait for the investigation of the police," he said, adding that some sectors are trying to create a picture of instability when the country's security situation is already stable.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said police have already established that there is a pattern in the attacks, which usually occur in the morning. He added that the blasts were not meant to hurt anyone but just attract attention.
Trade Secretary Peter Favila said the business sector is concerned about the bombings and has asked why the explosions are limited to Metro Manila.
Favila said he, during meetings with several business sectors, had "pointed out to them that the bombings are isolated and police authorities are on top of the investigation."
He added that the business sector does not believe allegations that the government may be behind the incidents. (VR/REC/JMR/Sunnex)
(June 15, 2006 issue)
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