It’s final, gas blew up Glorietta 2 – PNP chief

By Ronron
October 30, 2007

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Tuesday that the final findings of the Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MAITF) as to the cause of the blast at the Glorietta 2 in Makati City last October 19 is gas and not bomb.

Razon issued the statement in a radio interview late Tuesday afternoon even as he claimed that the final report of the MAITF, headed by Southern Police District Director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman, is yet to be completed.

In a phone interview, Ticman said their report may be ready in one or two weeks yet.

In explaining his statement, Razon cited “physical evidence” gathered by the investigators as the basis for dropping the bombing angle.

“At this point in time, based on the evidence, if we put it on the weighing scale, it will tilt heavily on the accidental gas explosion (angle),” Razon said.

He said similar findings were reported by investigators from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Australian Federal Police and the Israeli bomb experts who extended technical assistance to the MAITF.

Razon mentioned again the mixture of the methane gas (from the septic tank) and diesel fumes (from the diesel tank) at the basement of Glorietta 2 as the cause of the blast, triggered by a spark possibly from switches or motors.

The post-blast scenario also supports the said theory, particularly the upward push direction of the blast.

“This was an accident waiting to happen,” Razon said.

But when asked if the Ayala Land, Inc. can now be held liable for the accident that killed 11 people and wounded over a hundred others, Razon said: “That is up to the investigation. I have not yet seen the report which will determine if there is liability, if there was negligence.”/DMS