Transfer of ammo dumpsite eyed

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes has ordered the immediate relocation to a safer and more secure site of the ammunition and explosives dumpsite of the National Capital Region Police Office away from Camp General Papa in Bicutan, Taguig.

Reyes directed Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao to initiate the transfer of the ammo depot away from thickly populated areas. The DILG chief, who chairs the National Police Commission (Napolcom), issued the order in view of the recent series of explosions that took place at the explosives dump, which left 107 people injured, including four policemen.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said among the sites being considered for the transfer of the ammo dump of the Logistics Support Service of the Philippine National Police are Fort Magsaysay or a military arsenal in Bataan.

"One of the task force’s recommendations is to transfer the ammo dump to an unpopulated area outside Metro Manila," said Querol.

Moreover, PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao formed the task force to investigate the explosion that damaged property estimated at P12.5 million within the one-kilometer radius. The blast also left a 41-foot crater in the ground. The task force is headed by Superintendent Mitch Filart, head of the CIDG satellite office south. Its members are from the LSS Engineering Office, Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID) and Scene of the Crime Operatives. "It could be better to transfer the ammo dump outside Metro Manila to prevent another powerful blast which could prove disastrous," said Querol, explaining that the National Capital Region Police Office is only hosting the LSS ammo dump.

The ammo dump was constructed in 1978.

LSS director Chief Superintendent Amito Tolentino said the ammo dump was used for the storage of explosives seized by police and military personnel, including the Southern Luzon Command. Among the explosives kept for safekeeping were pillbox, molotov, C-4, ammonium nitrate, claymore mines, dynamites, hand grenades and TNTs. But Tolentino hinted that the explosives stored at the ammo dump were already disarmed, except for a few which will be used in a coming class for Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) personnel.

Querol said the task force is also zeroing in on two theories as the cause of the blast – the lightning and the mixed chemical reaction.

Filart said the task force members met for a case conference yesterday and the transfer of the ammo dump outside Metro Manila was among the topics discussed. "We are preparing for the SOCO report before submitting our findings and recommendations before PNP chief Lomibao," Filart told The Star.

The task force, Filart said, ruled out sabotage or terrorist attack, that damaged among others, the NCRPO main headquarters, and offices of the LSS, Immigration, Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), Day Care Center, Center for the Ultimate Rehabilitation of Drug Dependents and the gasoline station.

Initial reports showed that a number of foodchains and business establishments outside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan also sustained damaged glass doors and windows.

Lomibao said the PNP would reimburse the damage caused by the blast.

In related developments, Reyes also formed an inter-agency investigation team to "clear all doubts and establish the facts" on what caused the explosion at the NCRPO ammo depot.

Reyes named Napolcom Commissioner Imelda Roces as team leader and Commissioner Miguel Coronel, Chief Superintendent Servando Hizon and Superintendent Arturo Cacdac as team members.

He said that the interagency investigation will also work in cooperation with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Senior Superintendent Asher Dolina, who has been tasked to look into the incident.