NBI to let experts examine evidence from Glorietta blast site

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said it is set to meet with experts to ascertain whether methane gas caused the deadly explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati last month. Lawyer Romulo Asis, chief of NBI’s Anti-Terrorism Division (ATD), said investigators will ask experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau to examine pieces of evidence recovered from the blast site. Asis said NBI will likewise ask experts from Public Works and Energy departments to help in the examination of the evidence. “The aim is to finally determine if methane gas was indeed the cause of blast and at the same time to explore other possible angles… To fortify the theory that gas methane, we need expert testimonies so we needs the help of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to help us examine the recovered pieces of evidence," Asis said. “We have physical evidence and we have to thoroughly examine it first. We need expert opinions before coming out with official and final findings. All our findings will be backed up by concrete proofs. But so far hindi pa talaga kami tapos," he added. In full view Asis said the NBI will conduct the examination in the presence of the representatives of the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Philippine National Police and other concerned government agencies. The official noted that Arturo Santos, an engineer from the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau- Sanitary Mining Environment and Safety Division, said they could not make categorical statement on the cause of the explosion until the physical evidence is examined. “According to Santos generally, methane gas can be flammable and can cause explosion. Given the right mixture with other gas it can cause spontaneous combustible but he said he cannot say that it is the case of Glorietta 2 explosion because they have yet to examine the physical evidence," said Asis. Asis said among those recovered from the blast site were control panel for the submersible pumps 1 and 2, manual train for switch, and circuit breaker. Also recovered were the motor control panel from pumps 3 and 4, motor control for the diesel pump, fluorescent lamp, two convenient outlets, water pump (transfer pump motor) and electrical devices. The NBI earlier said it would stand by the findings of the Inter-Agency Task Force despite ALI’s insistence that methane gas could not have caused the explosion, contrary to the findings of local and foreign investigators. Asis noted that while they respect the decision of the ALI to hire their own experts to investigate the incident, the findings of these experts have no bearing to the on-going probe of the Inter-Agency Task Force. “We will stand-by to the findings of the Inter-Agency Task Force in which the NBI is a member. But so far investigation is still going on and we have yet to complete the probe. Maybe it will take days or weeks before we can come out with final and official result of the probe," said Asis, noting that the NBI is not ruling out other possible angles in the blast. Own up responsibility As this developed, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile urged the Ayala family and executives to take full responsibility for the October 19 explosion that killed 11 persons and injured hundreds others. "The Ayalas cannot just haphazardly put the blame on anyone while saving themselves from very credible findings of miscalculations and neglect on their part," Enrile said. “If the explosion was an act of terrorism, do (the Ayalas) think the US and other countries will not immediately come forward and denounce what happened in Glorietta? The fact is – they won’t precisely because it was not the handiwork of terrorists," he added. Enrile said police findings were clear and the explosion was triggered by a buildup of methane gas and diesel fumes, which has been backed by security experts from the United States , Australia, and Israel. Foreign experts noted the absence of bomb parts at the bomb site. Until they wrapped up their site investigations last week, police said they have not found any residue of any explosive or components of a bomb from the site. Explaining their findings, the Israeli experts said the mixture of dangerous gases such as methane plus oxygen especially in a "closed volume" can cause an explosion so devastating it could bring down an entire building. "The Ayalas cannot shift the burden of responsibility as these (American, Australian, and Israeli) experts who corroborated findings of the police are volunteer experts, not paid groups," the Senator said. "The Ayalas must remain true to their much publicized image as a responsible developer and good corporate citizen. They owe that to the public who over the years believed in them and made them an institution in the country," Enrile added. Present investigators For his part, Sen. Francis Pangilinan challenged the police to present the FBI agents and Australian experts who investigated the explosion in order to erase doubts of a whitewash on the explosion. "The PNP needs to explain the extent of the participation of the FBI and the Australian bomb experts in the investigation. Who are they? What are their names? How did they get involved in the investigation? What is the extent of their participation? Why aren't they going public? Why is it the PNP who's speaking on their behalf? Why won't the PNP allow their findings to be presented to the media?" Pangilinan asked. "While we want to give the PNP the benefit of the doubt, we still do not understand why the directive of the President to have the FBI and the Australian experts come out in the open to present their findings has remained unimplemented two weeks after the NSC meeting," he said. - GMANews.TV