TNT found in bomb used to blow up Batasan complex

By Ronron
November 15, 2007

Authorities have found traces of TNT or trinitroluene at the blast site in Congress, which was blown up last Tuesday night, resulting in the death of four people, including Basilan Congressman Wahab Akbar, and the wounding of 15 others.

“Our team from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) has established that the main charge that was used in the blast was a TNT. So, if that’s a TNT, it could have been dynamite sticks,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias told reporters in Camp Crame yesterday afternoon,

TNT, according to Barias, is a controlled chemical that needs the permit of the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) if purchased. He said it is used in quarrying, mining and illegal fishing activities.

“Because of that, the chief PNP has directed a review of the control mechanism, as well as the chain of possession of these controlled items,” Barias said.

Investigators earlier found PETN as a detonating cord, a cellular phone as command activator, and nails as shrapnel.

Asked on who could be the group that uses this type of bomb, Barias said: “We are looking at history like the bombings in Mindanao.”

He cited in particular the bombing in Malagutay, Zamboanga City in 2002, wherein the bomb used was also placed on a motorcycle.

But Barias refused to enumerate the groups that could be using the said type of bomb.

As to the motorcycle where the improvised explosive device (IED) in Tuesday’s blast was placed, Barias said they are still continuously checking its barcode so they will be able to determine the owner of that.

“It is from there that they’re working on right now… in order to determine the owners of the motorcycle, and then place a tracking of who has in possession of that motorcycle at the time of the blast,” he said.

Barias said the investigating team, headed by Quezon City Police chief Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, is also still finding out the threats against the life of Akbar, who was believed to be the target of the blast.

Barias said further that it would be wise if another investigating team will look into the possible lapses of the security personnel inside the Batasan Complex that resulted in the entry of the IED last Tuesday.

At the time of the blast, personnel from the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO), and a private security agency were securing the complex. The PSPO was immediately replaced on the following day with personnel from the Special Action Force.

Police said the Congress security, led by retired Gen. Bayani Fabic, has admitted to being quite lax in the entry of motorcycles at the Batasan complex because many employees use this mode of transportation./DMS