Glorietta 2 probe not over even as foreign experts say it's gas blast

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will continue to look into the terror angle despite findings of foreign experts that a gas explosion was what occurred at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City last October 19. Police Director Geary Barias, Metro Manila police chief, said the report of the Australian Federal Police only confirmed that the October 19 incident was a gas explosion. "There was no evidence to suggest that the explosion was caused by an IED (improvised explosive device)," the 13-page report read. Barias quoted the report as saying that, "the explosive gas which triggered the explosion is unknown." QTV Balitanghali said the Australian report found the presence of methane from a sewer, as well as sulfur, ammonia and diesel fumes at the basement. Israeli experts, although corroborating the PNP theory that it was a gas explosion, limited their probe to an ocular inspection of the blast site. "(The Israeli expert) could already say that it was a gas that caused the explosion even from a visual standpoint only," Barias said. However, Barias said that, "Just by looking at the tell-tale signs, they could already say whether or not the blast was caused by a bomb." Barias also said that the Armed Forces came up with its own report and submitted their findings to the PNP. Barias, however, did not immediately reveal the contents of the report. He added that investigators will determine whether or not the Armed Forces report as well as the Australian findings will form part of the PNP's report but did not deny that it "may reinforce our investigation." Barias also said they have already requested a copy of a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also on the Glorietta blast. "I'm not clearly very sure if they have findings or they just come out with a report on how the investigation was conducted," he said. As this developed, the police said blast probers will only conclude their work upon determining the cause of the spark that caused the methane gas and diesel fumes to blow up. Part of the continuing investigation will be the retrieval of the submersible pump, which authorities believe could have caused the gas build up in the building's basement. Barias said Australian probers noted four possible sources of the spark: the pump, a circuit breaker, a light switch and a light bulb. "It is already safe to go to the basement and hopefully by 1 p.m. they will be there and retrieve this pump," Barias said. He added that the pump will then have to undergo chemical testing and be inspected for any burns that could have triggered the explosion. "It is very important to complete the story [first] ... to convince the judge later on," he said. Barias was referring to questions whether complaints are being readied against the people responsible for the gas explosion. But for now, experts are focused on completing the investigation first before pointing fingers at anyone. "What matters is the findings of the Philippine National Police and that is the same thing that will be used in court," he said. He added that, "When we finish our investigation on what actually happened to include the source of ignition, then we file the complaint," he added. QTV Balitanghali quoted Barias as saying that mall owners face possible charges of negligence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries. - GMANews.TV