Explosion hits Davao City police office

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — An explosion hit the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) shortly before noon yesterday.

Initial reports said the explosion occurred in the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) office of the police station. No one was reported injured in the incident.

The explosion was reportedly caused by extreme heat in Davao City that reached 35 degree Celsius. 

Southern Mindanao regional police office director Brig Gen. Marcelo Morales said the explosion struck the previously recovered explosive material or evidence placed inside the stockroom of the EOD office.

The explosion was powerful enough to be felt in the surrounding areas and adjoining barangays.

Morales said that further investigation is being conducted by EOD personnel from the DCPO and regional police office.

The military also dispatched a team of explosive experts to help in the police investigation.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said they deployed the Explosive and Ordnance Team as well as Urban Security from its Task Force Davao to assist their police counterparts secure and process the blast site.

Balagtey added fire suppression operations were immediately conducted by joint fire fighting units in the city. – With Jaime Laude