Oil tanker truck driver sends surrender feelers to police

The driver of an oil tanker truck that exploded and killed at least one person in Manila's Sampaloc district Wednesday night has sent surrender feelers to the police. Radio dzBB reported Thursday morning that the driver, initially identified as Leonardo Binamer, sent word through his employer that he will show up at the Manila Police District (MPD) to shed light on the investigation. But police investigators handling the case said they were not informed of his present whereabouts. Manila fire marshal Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta said in an earlier interview that they could not find the driver of the truck, and that it was impossible for him to have died in the fire. Investigators, who earlier said they are not discounting the possibility of foul play, expect Binamer to show up soon and provide his testimony on the incident. Meanwhile, dzMM radio reported that the tanker was towed out of the site of the incident past 10 a.m. Thursday. Around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, the oil tanker truck exploded into a fireball as it was getting down the Nagtahan flyover and heading for A.H. Lacson Street. Flames immediately spread to at least 11 nearby vehicles, killing businessman Melencio Aquino, 55, and injuring his wife, Gemma Aquino, who was rushed to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Initial investigation also showed the tanker was carrying at least 3,000 gallons of diesel and 200 gallons of gasoline when the incident occured. - GMANews.TV