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Friday, January 11, 2008
15 face raps over Glorietta blast
MANILA -- A multi-agency investigating body on Thursday recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against 15 individuals in connection with the October 19 explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City that left 11 people dead and 108 others injured.
The PNP Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MAITF), headed by Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman, affirmed with finality that the explosion was not caused by bombing or terrorism, noting that no bomb parts or components of an explosive device were found at the scene.
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Also, the same body noted the absence of a crater at the seat of explosion; no tearing effect on damages; no soot or blackening of affected areas; and no explosive residue in the skin or clothing of victims and affected areas.
In a report submitted to Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, the task force maintained the earlier findings that the blast at the basement of Glorietta 2 mall was caused by methane and diesel vapor explosion.
"The generation and accumulation of gas became possible due to the negligence of personnel tasked to maintain the facilities in the basement," Ticman said.
The MAITF is composed of investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Inter-agency Anti-arson Task Force (IATF) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The MAITF is also provided with technical support by the science, environment and public works departments and some non-government organizations (NGOs).
In an audio-visual presentation at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday, the MAITF established that methane accumulated in the mall basement and it reached its lower explosive limit causing a methane explosion.
According to the MAITF findings, the methane explosion caused the sudden rise in temperature and build-up of pressure in the basement, causing the diesel fuel to reach its flash point and allow the build-up of diesel vapor.
"Since the accumulation of diesel vapor inside the tank reached its explosive range, the second explosion-the Diesel Vapor Explosion, occurred," the MAITF report said.
The MAITF recommended the filing of cases for Reckless Imprudence/Negligence (Gross Negligence) Resulting in Multiple Homicide, Physical Injuries and Damage to Property against the following persons: Engineer Candelario Valdueza, project engineer of Makati Supermarket Corp. (MSC); Engineer Marcelo Botenes, building engineer of MSC-G2; Engineer Jowell Velvez; building administrator of MSC-G2;
Engineer Arnel Gonzales, building manager of MSC-G2; Engineer Clifford Arriola, operation manager of Marchem Industrial Sales and Services Inc; Joselito Buenaventura, supervisor of Marchem; Charlie Nepomeceno, Marchem maintenance personnel; Jonathan Ibuna, Marchem maintenance personnel; and Juan Ricafort, Marchem maintenance personnel.
Also to be charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act (RA) 3019, and Administrative Charges for Gross Neglect of Duty are Senior Fire Officer 4 Anthony Grey, fire safety inspector of the Makati City Fire Station; SFO2 Leonilo Balais, also fire safety inspector of the Makati City Fire Station; and Senior Inspector Reynaldo Enoc, fire prevention officer of the Makati City Fire Station.
The Bureau of Fire Protection and the DILG-IATF will also file a separate case for violation of the Fire Code of the Philippine or Presidential Decree (PD) 1185 against the Makati Supermarket Corporation, and the Ayala Property Management Corporation, including Engineer Ricardo Cruz, operations manager of Metalline Enterprises, and Miguel Velasco Jr., a foreman.
Also facing administrative charges for Simple Neglect of Duty is Chief Inspector Jose Embang Jr., city fire marshal of Makati City.
PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. noted that the conclusion of the MAITF is consistent with the findings of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Australian Federal Police, and the Israeli security experts. (VR/JRDB/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (January 11, 2008 issue)
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