Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police are set to file charges against 15 people, including employees of one of the country’s top property developers, in connection with a mall blast that killed 11 people, officials said Thursday.
In their final report released Thursday, investigators ruled out terrorism as the cause of the blast at the Glorietta 2 mall in Manila’s Makati financial district last October, sticking to initial findings that methane and diesel vapor triggered the explosion that also injured more than 100 people.
Police Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman said engineers from Ayala Land Inc., which owns and runs the mall, and Makati city fire safety inspectors were among 14 people facing criminal complaints for gross negligence resulting in multiple homicide and injuries, gross neglect of duty, corruption and violation of the fire code. The city’s fire marshal will be charged for neglect of duty.
“The investigation has ruled out with finality the terrorism or bombing theory behind the explosion,” said Ticman, the head of the task force that investigated the blast.
Police found no bomb parts or crater at the blast scene, no signs of a bomb’s tearing effect on the damaged property, and no explosives residue on the skin or clothes of victims.
Ayala said its own assessment shows conditions in the mall’s basement could not have resulted in the buildup of methane and diesel vapor required for such a powerful blast. It also cited laboratory results from foreign forensic experts it consulted that indicate traces of explosives were present at the site.
“We view this with deep concern,” Ayala said in a statement reacting to the police findings.
The Associated Press