'Uniqueness' of Glorietta blast blamed for long probe

Police blamed the "uniqueness" of the incident for their long investigation into the explosion that killed at least 11 people at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City on Oct. 19 last year. Southern Police District (SPD) head Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman said Thursday the task force formed to look into the incident had to be careful in analyzing each piece of evidence it gathered. "Ito medyo unique, kauna-unahan siguro ito. Considering yung task force criminal investigation yan, di natin gusto na pabara-bara ang ginawa nating investigation (This was a unique case, a first of sorts. Considering that our task force was ordered to recommend criminal charges, we didn't want our work to be half-baked)," Ticman said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he refused to disclose details of their findings, saying they will do so at a press conference at 1 p.m. He would only say their press conference would include announcements on the police's findings and who will be recommended charged for the incident. "Iuulat natin ang naging pangyayari kasama ang kung sino ang ating dapat kakasuhan. Sino ang responsible rito should be held liable (We will report what happened and we will disclose who were found liable. Who is responsible should be held liable)," he said. "Gusto nating siguruhin meron tayong pinaghahawakan (We want to be sure of our evidence before we file any charge against anyone)," he added. At least 11 people were killed and several others injured after a blast ripped through the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City shortly after noon of Oct. 19 last year. Investigators initially theorized a bomb caused the explosion after they found traces of RDX, but further investigation showed the explosion may have been an industrial accident. Police said international experts found no trace of a detonating or timing device, or other signs that would indicate a bomb explosion. But Ayala Land Inc., which runs the Glorietta mall, insisted its own experts' findings contradicted those of the police. - GMANews.TV